In a development that marks a significant turning point in her legal battles, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, expressed her gratitude and relief after being acquitted of 17 charges of money laundering and tax evasion. The Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision, announced during her 73rd birthday month, has been hailed by Rosmah as a "special gift" and a victory for justice.
The charges against Rosmah, filed in October 2018, stemmed from alleged offenses committed between December 2013 and June 2017. They included 12 counts of money laundering involving RM7.09 million and five charges of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). However, High Court judge Justice K. Muniandy ruled that the charges were defective and failed to meet essential legal requirements, rendering them "illegal and flawed."
Rosmah's legal team had filed an application in September 2023 to have the charges quashed, arguing that they deprived her of a fair trial. The court proceedings began on December 12, 2024, culminating in the recent acquittal. Justice Muniandy emphasized that the charges suffered from duplicity and multiplicity and did not disclose any clear offense.
“This is what I call justice,” Rosmah stated during a press conference following the verdict. “Justice should never be played with — not just for us, but for the public as well. Let me rest now, breathe a bit. Alhamdulillah.” She also expressed her gratitude to her lawyers, who maintained from the outset that the charges lacked merit. Her defense team celebrated the decision, calling it a long-overdue vindication after six years of legal proceedings.
Rosmah’s legal troubles are far from over, however. She still faces an appeal concerning her conviction in a separate corruption case involving a RM1.25 billion solar energy project for rural schools in Sarawak. In September 2022, she was found guilty of three corruption charges related to this project. The court sentenced her to 10 years in prison for each charge, to be served concurrently, along with a fine of RM970 million. Her sentence is currently on hold, pending an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
The recent acquittal has sparked public debate, with mixed reactions across Malaysia. While Rosmah’s supporters view it as a triumph of justice, critics question the broader implications of high-profile acquittals and the consistency of Malaysia’s judicial system.
For Rosmah, the court’s decision is a personal and emotional milestone. As she navigates the challenges of ongoing legal battles, this victory offers her a moment of reprieve. She plans to share the good news with her husband, Najib Razak, who is currently serving a prison sentence for corruption related to the SRC International scandal.
As the nation watches her legal saga unfold, Rosmah’s case continues to highlight critical questions about justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
Information Source: The Vibes, Malay Mail
Kamran is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.