Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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PUTRAJAYA (March 21): The Court of Appeal (COA) granted Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s application for temporary release of her passport to enable her to travel to Singapore for six weeks to visit her daughter and a grandson who is unwell.

The COA bench made up of Justices Datuk Seri Kamaludin Md Said, Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail and Datuk Azman Abdullah allowed the application in proceedings on Tuesday (March 21). Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Poh Yih Tinn did not object to the application.

The bench led by Kamaludin agreed that since there was no objection from the DPP, Rosmah, who is the wife of jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, could have her passport back with terms. 

“In view of there being no objection, this application is allowed,” he said.

Rosmah’s lawyer Datuk Jagjit Singh had informed the court that she sought the release of her passport to visit her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren, who reside in Singapore. 

He told the bench that she would leave on Thursday, and will be in Singapore for six weeks for Hari Raya celebrations there, before returning on May 5.

Jagjit also told the court that they will make an undertaking to return her passport to the court within a week of her return. 

The DPP asked that the passport be returned by May 10. The judges agreed. 

Rosmah's passport was impounded by the court in 2019, after she was charged with corruption.

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

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

She was accused of one count of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd's former managing director Said Abang Samsudin.

The High Court, however, granted Rosmah a stay of execution of the prison sentence and fine, pending her appeal in the COA.

Rosmah's appeal against her conviction, 10 years' imprisonment and RM970 million fine is fixed for hearing in the COA for four days from July 11.

Also present in the court and representing Rosmah on Tuesday were lawyers Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader and Azrul Zulkifli Stork.

Edited BySurin Murugiah
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