Appeals court stays recording of additional evidence in Rosmah case

The Court of Appeal today granted the prosecution’s application to stay the recording of additional evidence from a witness in Rosmah Mansor’s appeal against her corruption conviction involving a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project.

A three-member bench chaired by Justice Azhahari Kamal Ramli granted the stay after deputy public prosecutor Asnawi Abu Hanipah told the court that Rosmah would not object following discussions between the parties this morning.

Rosmah’s counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad confirmed this, saying the prosecution had assured the defence that it would expedite its appeal to the Federal Court against the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision allowing Rosmah to adduce additional evidence.

“So I think in the best interest of all parties, we agree that the appeal at the (Federal) Court be expedited, exhausted and disposed of,” he said.

After hearing submissions from both parties, Azhahari granted the stay until the prosecution’s appeal at the Federal Court is disposed of.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court had fixed today to record further evidence from prosecution witness Rayyan Radzwill Abdullah.

Azhahari directed the parties to inform the High Court of the development.

Justices Choo Kah Sing and K Muniandy were also on the bench.

The Court of Appeal fixed Oct 7 for case management.

On Sept 1, the Court of Appeal directed the High Court to record the additional evidence within two weeks of the case management held on Sept 10.

Rosmah had obtained leave to adduce fresh evidence comprising a police report, a statutory declaration sworn by Rayyan and supporting documents.

She contends that the material shows Rayyan was subjected to prosecutorial pressure during the trial, and that his evidence against her was compromised.

Rosmah, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, was convicted by the High Court on Sept 2, 2022 of soliciting RM187.5 million from former Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin through her former aide Rizal Mansor.

The money was allegedly solicited as an inducement to help the company secure the solar hybrid project.

She was also found guilty of receiving RM5 million from Saidi through Rizal at Seri Perdana in Putrajaya on Dec 20, 2016, and a further RM1.5 million at her Jalan Langgak Duta residence on Sept 7, 2017.

The court sentenced Rosmah to 10 years’ jail and fined her RM970 million, with an additional 10 years’ jail if she failed to pay the fine.

Counsel Jagjit Singh, Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin, Akberdin Abdul Kader and Joshua Teh also represented Rosmah, while deputy public prosecutors Ahmad Akram Gharib and Mustaffa P Kunyalam appeared for the prosecution.

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