KUALA LUMPUR — High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan has dismissed an application by Rosmah Mansor’s lawyers to bar the media from reporting certain excerpts from her aide, Mr Rizal Mansor’s statement. 

Earlier in court on Wednesday (Sept 9), Rosmah’s lawyer, Mr Akberdin Abdul Kadir had raised the contention that certain paragraphs in Mr Rizal’s statement are prejudicial to Rosmah’s image and reputation as they amount to “character assassination” and the media should not report them, in the interest of justice, until the end of the case.

“In the interest of justice media should not carry this out until the end of the case,’’ said Mr Akberdin.

However, Mr Zaini said he was not convinced on the points of contention raised by Mr Akberdin and lead defence lawyer Jagjit Singh, stating that the defence still has the right to dispute Mr Rizal’s evidence during cross-examination.

Mr Zaini also stated that he and he alone would decide whether Mr Rizal’s statement is prejudicial towards the accused at the end of the prosecution's case.

Mr Zaini also said that there are no special circumstances for him to bar the media from reporting and stated that he believes in the freedom of the press.

“Sorry, I'm not minded to bar the press,’’ he said.

Mr Zaini subsequently dismissed the application and proceeded with the trial, with Mr Rizal reading his statement to the court. MALAY MAIL