The Court of Appeal has rescheduled the hearing of Rosmah Mansor’s appeal against her conviction, 10-year imprisonment and RM970 million fine for corruption in connection with a solar hybrid project for rural schools in Sarawak to July 11.

Its deputy registrar Mohd Khairi Haron set four days – July 11-14 – for the appeal hearing during the case management today.

Present during the proceedings were deputy public prosecutor Deepa Nair Thevaharan, representing the prosecution, while Rosmah was represented by lawyers Jagjit Singh and Akberdin Abdul Kader.

Deputy public prosecutor Poh Yih Tinn, who confirmed the dates with the media, said the hearing dates, June 22 and 23, initially set last December 19, had been vacated.

He said parties in the appeal were directed to file their respective submissions by June 9 and the reply submissions by June 23.

The final case management for the appeal is fixed on July 4, he added.

On September 1 last year, Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan found Rosmah guilty of three corruption charges involving RM1.25 billion in connection with a hybrid solar project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

Rosmah, 71, was sentenced to 10 years in jail for each charge, to be served concurrently, which means she will only serve 10 years in jail. She was also fined RM970 million, in default of 30 years in jail.

The wife of former prime minister Najib Razak was accused of one count of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings former managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin.

The High Court, however, granted Rosmah a stay of execution of the imprisonment term and fine pending her appeal at the appeals court.

She is also appealing against the High Court’s decision to dismiss her application to disqualify Zaini from hearing and deciding on her case.

In his judgment, Justice Mohamed Zaini held that Rosmah’s defence was merely denial and that the money she received at her residences in Jalan Langgak Duta and Seri Perdana was clearly intended for her. – Bernama, January 6, 2023.