Malaysia’s Court of Appeal has granted Rosmah Mansor, wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, permission to travel to Singapore to visit her daughter. The court authorized the release of her passport from February 1st through April 30th for this purpose.
Court Decision & Upcoming Hearing
The decision was made by a three-judge panel, led by Justice Azmi Ariffin, after the Deputy Public Prosecutor K. Mangai indicated the government had no objection. Justices Noorin Badaruddin and Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid also served on the panel, and the proceedings were conducted online.
Rosmah’s lawyer, Mr. Jagjit Singh, informed the court that she will return to Kuala Lumpur between February 20th and 26th to attend an appeal hearing on February 25th. This hearing pertains to her attempt to disqualify Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan from her corruption case.
Background of the Case
Rosmah filed an application to recuse Judge Mohamed Zaini in August 2022, alleging a leaked draft of his judgment prior to its official delivery. On September 1, 2022, Judge Mohamed Zaini found Rosmah guilty of three corruption charges related to a project supplying hybrid solar energy systems to schools in Sarawak.
She was sentenced to 10 years in prison and a fine of RM970 million (approximately S$312 million), with a potential additional 30 years imprisonment if the fine remains unpaid. Prosecutors allege she solicited RM187.5 million and received RM6.5 million in bribes from Mr. Saidi Abang Samsudin, former managing director of Jepak Holdings.
Rosmah has appealed both her conviction and sentence, and a stay of execution has been granted, meaning the prison term and fine will not be enforced while the appeal is ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges was Rosmah Mansor convicted of?
Rosmah Mansor was found guilty of three corruption charges related to a government project to supply hybrid solar energy systems to rural schools in Sarawak.
What is the potential penalty if Rosmah Mansor does not pay the fine?
If the RM970 million fine is not paid, Rosmah Mansor faces an additional 30 years’ imprisonment.
What is the purpose of the upcoming appeal hearing on February 25th?
The appeal hearing on February 25th concerns Rosmah’s attempt to disqualify Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan from her corruption case.
As Rosmah Mansor prepares for her appeal and a brief period of international travel, what does this case suggest about the balance between legal proceedings and personal circumstances in the Malaysian justice system?
