Deputy public prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad informed the Sessions Court of this when Hasanah’s case came up for case mention today.

“We want to move the case to the higher court because it involves national security issues,” he said, adding that the court papers were filed yesterday.

Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayub set Feb 21 for next mention pending the transfer application of the case.

The court also ordered the prosecution to surrender all trial documents to Hasanah’s lawyers, Shaharudin Ali and Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, before Feb 21.

The prosecution has already surrendered Hasanah’s appointment letter as director-general, the seizure list, invoices, photographic evidence, recorded conversations and photographs of the Research Division office.

Khairul asked the court to unfreeze Hasanah’s bank account, saying she needed the money to meet her daily expenses.

However, Rozana made no order regarding the request and told the lawyer to discuss the issue with the prosecutors and investigating officer.

Hasanah claimed trial to allegedly misappropriating RM50 million in government funds in October last year.

She was accused of misappropriating the funds with which she was entrusted at the Prime Minister’s Department between April 30 and May 9.

If found guilty, she faces a fine and a jail sentence of between two and 20 years.

Hasanah posted RM500,000 bail for her charge.

She entered the spotlight after the May 9 general election when a letter written to Central Intelligence Agency director Gina Haspel asking for Washington’s support for Barisan Nasional, was leaked to the public.