Rosmah Mansor’s appeal to set aside her conviction and sentence in the RM1.25 billion Sarawak solar hybrid project corruption case, which was scheduled to be heard today at the Court of Appeal, has been postponed to Sept 1.
A three-judge panel led by Azhahari Kamal Ramli fixed 16 days in September to hear the appeal.
Earlier, the panel granted Rosmah’s counsel, Jagjit Singh, an adjournment of today’s hearing while awaiting the outcome of her July 29 review bid to recuse the judge in the solar case.
However, Azhahari, who sat on the bench with Choo Kah Sing and K Muniandy, described the matter as an ageing case dating back to 2022, and stressed that the court would not entertain any further compromises to the newly scheduled hearing dates.
“We are not compromising on these dates. The hearing has been fixed for Sept 1 to 4, Sept 8 to 11, and Sept 21 to 30, 2026. The appeal must commence on Sept 1, and we will not allow any adjournment during the scheduled hearing dates.
“Coupled with the fact that co-counsel Akberdin Abdul Kader is currently facing some trying moments in his life, we allow the application for an adjournment,” he said.
The court also noted that the president of the Court of Appeal had, in a letter dated Oct 10, 2024, allowed Rosmah’s application to adjourn the main appeal.
“We take the view that the letter should be interpreted to include that the main appeal should be allowed to be adjourned after the applicant has exhausted all avenues available to her, including the application for review, pending the hearing and disposal of the application for review,” he said.
Adjournment sought pending recusal review
Earlier, Jagjit moved for an adjournment on the basis that the defence had filed a review application against the Federal Court’s refusal to recuse judge Zaini Mazlan (now a Court of Appeal judge) from presiding over Rosmah’s trial, which resulted in her conviction in the solar hybrid project corruption case.
He further informed the court that on Oct 9, 2024, the defence had submitted a letter to the president of the Court of Appeal, seeking to postpone the corruption appeal hearing until the recusal application is finally determined.
“On Oct 10, 2024, the president of the Court of Appeal replied to our letter and allowed the corruption appeal to be adjourned until the appeal relating to the recusal application had been fully concluded. At present, the review of the recusal application is scheduled to be heard on July 29,” Jagjit said.
The lawyer also informed the panel that Akberdin’s son, Adli Hakim, had been killed in a road accident two months ago.
“Akberdin is like a younger brother to me. He is still deeply grieved and mourning the loss of his son. He prepared all the documents for this appeal, but is unable to be here because of the tragedy. I need him (Akberdin). We hope the prosecution can understand,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion.
Deputy public prosecutor K Mangai informed the court that the prosecution had been directed to oppose the adjournment, as the appeal had been languishing before the court since 2023.
However, she added that the prosecution would leave it to the court’s discretion, given Akberdin’s personal circumstances.
Conviction, sentences, and charges
On Sept 1, 2022, Zaini found Rosmah guilty of corruption in connection with the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project, sentencing her to 10 years’ imprisonment and imposing a fine of RM970 million.
The court further ordered an additional 10 years’ imprisonment if the fine remained unpaid, but allowed a stay of both the sentence and fine pending her appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Rosmah, the wife of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, was charged with one count of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of accepting RM6.5 million in bribes from Saidi Abang Samsudin, the former managing director of Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd.
The bribes were allegedly delivered through her former aide, Rizal Mansor, as an inducement for Rosmah to use her influence to secure the solar hybrid project for the company.
- Bernama
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