Mahkamah Rayuan tangguh rakaman keterangan tambahan dalam kes Rosmah

Mahkamah Rayuan Malaysia recently granted permission for Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, to introduce new evidence in her appeal against corruption charges related to a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project. The three-judge panel, led by Judge Azhahari Kamal Ramli, allowed the delay after Deputy Public Prosecutor Asnawi Abu Hanipah informed the court that Rosmah had no objection following their discussions earlier in the day.

Rosmah's lawyer, Amer Hamzah Arshad, confirmed this and stated that the prosecution will hasten their appeal to the Federal Court of the matter. After hearing both sides, Judge Azhahari granted the delay until the prosecution's appeal in the Federal Court is decided. The High Court in Kuala Lumpur had previously set this date for recording additional testimony from the prosecution witness, Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah.

Judges Choo Kah Sing and Muniandy also participated in the panel. Mahkamah Rayuan set the case to be managed on October 7th. On September 1st, Mahkamah Rayuan ordered the Federal Court to record the additional evidence within two weeks following the management hearing on September 10th. Rosmah previously obtained permission to present new evidence, which includes a police report, a sworn statement from Rayyan, and supporting documents.

She claims the evidence shows that Rayyan was pressured by the prosecution during questioning and her defense. Rosmah, who is married to former Prime Minister Najib Razak, was indicted by the High Court on September 2, 2022, on three counts of corruption, including requesting RM187.5 million from former Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd CEO Saidi Abang Samsudin through Rizal Mansor.

The money was allegedly requested to help the company secure the solar hybrid project. She was also found guilty of receiving RM5 million from Saidi via Rizal at Seri Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, on December 20, 2016, and an additional RM1.5 million at her home in Jalan Langgak Duta on September 7, 2017. The court sentenced her to 10 years in prison and a RM970 million fine, with an additional 10 years if she fails to pay the fine.

Rosmah's lawyers, Jagjit Singh, Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin, Akberdin Abdul Kader, and Joshua Teh, represented her, while Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib and Mustaffa P Kunyalam appeared for the prosecution.