Kuala lumpur: The prosecution is preparing to challenge the Court of Appeal's recent decision permitting Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to introduce additional evidence in her ongoing appeal against her corruption conviction and sentencing related to the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar confirmed the prosecution's intention to file an appeal against the decision. "It merits an appeal to the Federal Court. We will file it as soon as possible," he stated. The legal framework mandates the filing of a notice of appeal within 14 days of the court's decision.
A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal, comprising Justices Datuk Azhahari Kamal Ramli, Datuk Dr Choo Kah Sing, and K. Muniandy, recently granted Rosmah's request to submit additional evidence in her appeal against her conviction and sentence for corruption. The court directed that additional evidence be gathered from prosecution witness Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah through further cross-examination and re-examination. It also stipulated that any additional evidence presented by either the defense or prosecution must pertain to Rayyan's evidence.
The Court of Appeal further instructed that this additional evidence be recorded before a new High Court judge within two weeks of the case management, slated for September 10. Rosmah Mansor, wife of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, had requested to present additional evidence, including a police report and a statutory declaration by Rayyan, who alleged prosecutorial pressure during the trial.
On September 1, 2022, the High Court found Rosmah guilty on three corruption charges under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. She was convicted of soliciting RM187.5 million and accepting RM6.5 million in bribes from former Jepak Holdings managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin through her former aide, Datuk Rizal Mansor. These bribes were intended to influence Rosmah to assist Jepak Holdings in securing the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak from the Education Ministry.
Rosmah received a sentence of 10 years' imprisonment on each charge, to be served concurrently, along with a fine of RM970 million. She was granted a stay of execution pending her appeal. The Court of Appeal has scheduled the hearing of her appeal from October 4 to 16 and October 19 to 23.