Malaysia drops appeal against acquittal of ex-PM Najib’s wife Rosmah in money laundering, tax evasion case
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Rosmah Mansor was acquitted of 12 charges of money laundering and five charges of failing to declare her income.
PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia’s prosecution has withdrawn its appeal against a High Court decision
The notice of withdrawal of the appeal filed by the public prosecutor at the Court of Appeal on Dec 9, 2024 stated that it did not intend to proceed.
“Not satisfied with the decision of High Court Judge K. Muniandy (now Court of Appeal Judge) on Dec 19, 2024,” the document read.
“The public prosecutor has now given notice that it does not intend to proceed with the appeal.”
According to a letter from the Deputy Registrar of the Court of Appeal, the case management scheduled for Dec 22 has been vacated, and the appeal is dismissed under Order 73 of the Court of Appeal Rules 1994.
Meanwhile, lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad, who is representing Rosmah, 74, confirmed the matter and stated that Judge Muniandy’s decision to acquit his client
“We are relieved that she (Rosmah) has been completely freed from the charges,” said Mr Amer Hamzah.
“This entire process has been a tough test for her, and we are pleased to see that justice has finally been served and the case closed.”
On Dec 19, 2024, Judge K. Muniandy acquitted and discharged Rosmah of all charges after allowing her application to quash all 17 charges.
In his ruling, Bernama reported, Judge Muniandy ruled that the prosecution had failed to present the key elements of the offence of money laundering in the charges brought against Rosmah.
Rosmah filed the application to strike out the charges in September 2023 and the trial began on Aug 24, 2023, with two witnesses testifying.
On Oct 4, 2018, Rosmah pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of money laundering involving RM7.1 million and five counts of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board.
Rosmah is also appealing her conviction, 10-year imprisonment and a RM970 million fine in the corruption case related to the 369 solar hybrid rural schools project.
The date of the hearing at the Court of Appeal has yet to be fixed. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
