Malaysia's Federal Court has unanimously dismissed Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's final appeal to remove the judge presiding over her corruption trial involving a RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project in Sarawak. This decision clears the way for the Court of Appeal to proceed with hearing her appeal against the conviction and sentence.
Rosmah, the wife of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, was convicted in September 2022 for soliciting and receiving bribes related to the project aimed at providing solar hybrid power to rural schools in Sarawak. She was sentenced to ten years in prison and fined RM970 million. The trial judge, Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, now a Court of Appeal judge, had previously dismissed Rosmah's application to recuse him, citing no evidence of bias.
The Federal Court's dismissal of Rosmah's appeal means that the Court of Appeal can now focus on her main appeal against the conviction and sentence. The Court of Appeal had previously adjourned the hearing to await the outcome of Rosmah's recusal application. The appeal hearing is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026.
This development is significant as it marks the conclusion of Rosmah's legal challenges to the trial judge, allowing the appellate process to move forward. The outcome of the upcoming appeal will determine whether her conviction and sentence stand or are overturned.
The case has attracted considerable public attention due to its high-profile nature and the involvement of a former first lady. The finality of the recusal decision may influence public perception of the judicial process and the handling of high-profile corruption cases in Malaysia.