APPEAL COURT GRANTS ROSMAH THREE-MONTH PASSPORT EXTENSION

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 31 (Bernama) — The Court of Appeal today granted Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor a three-month extension to the release of her passport, to visit her daughter in Singapore.

A three-member bench, presided over by Justice Datuk Azman Abdullah, alongside Justices Datuk Azmi Ariffin and Datuk Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid, allowed the wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to retain custody of her passport until the end of January next year.

The application was presented before the court today by Rosmah's counsel, Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader.

It was unopposed by deputy public prosecutor P Sarulatha, who appeared for the prosecution.

Following the proceedings, Akberdin informed the press that the extension was sought to enable Rosmah to visit her daughter, who gave birth to her fourth child earlier this year.

Counsel Akberdin added that Rosmah is required to return the passport to the court by Jan 31, next year.

The court had previously authorised Rosmah to retain her passport from July 24 this year until the present date.

On Sept 1, 2022, the High Court convicted Rosmah, 73, on three counts of corruption involving RM1.25 billion in relation to a hybrid solar project for schools in Sarawak.

She was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in a single custodial term of 10 years.

She was also fined RM970 million, with a default sentence of 30 years' imprisonment should the fine not be paid.

However, the High Court granted Rosmah a stay of execution on both the prison sentence and the fine, pending the outcome of her appeal before the Court of Appeal, which is scheduled for a case management hearing on Nov 3. 

— BERNAMA