Prosecutors back off challenge to ruling in money laundering, tax evasion case
KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution has withdrawn its appeal against a High Court decision that acquitted and discharged Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor of 12 charges of money laundering involving more than RM7mil and five charges of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board.
The notice of withdrawal of the appeal filed by the public prosecutor at the Court of Appeal last Dec 9 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 public prosecutor has now given notice that it does not intend to proceed with the appeal,” the document read.
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 Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, who is representing Rosmah, 74, confirmed the matter and stated that Judge Muniandy’s decision to acquit his client was fair.
“We are relieved that she (Rosmah) has been completely freed from the charges.
“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,” said Amer Hamzah.
On Dec 19 last year, Judge K. Muniandy acquitted and discharged the wife of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak of all charges after allowing her application to quash all 17 charges.
In his ruling, Bernama reported, 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 RM7,097,750 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 RM970mil 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.
