A Malaysian court on Thursday dismissed more than a dozen charges of money laundering and tax evasion against Rosmah Mansor, the wife of jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Rosmah, 73, faced 12 charges of money laundering involving 7.1 million ringgit ($1.6 million) and five charges of failing to declare her income between December 4, 2013, and June 8, 2017. High Court judge K. Muniandy struck out all 17 charges, citing a lack of "probity, propriety, and legality" and ordered a "discharge amounting to an acquittal," according to a copy of the decision seen by AFP.
The Attorney-General’s office indicated it would appeal against the decision, as reported by Malaysian media.
Rosmah was previously sentenced to 10 years in jail on separate graft charges in September 2022 but has appealed that conviction and remains free on bail. She was accused in that case of seeking and receiving bribes to help a company secure a solar power project for rural schools in the Malaysian section of Borneo during her husband's tenure.
Rosmah has long faced criticism from Malaysians for her extensive collection of designer handbags, clothing, and jewelry, acquired during overseas shopping trips. This collection drew significant attention after police raids on their family home in 2018 following Najib’s election defeat.
These lavish items drew unflattering comparisons with former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos and contributed to accusations that the ousted ruling elite had lost touch with economically struggling and middle-class Malaysians.
Najib is currently serving a six-year jail term for corruption related to a massive financial scandal at sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. He has filed an appeal to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest, with a hearing scheduled for January 6.
The 1MDB scandal, involving billions of dollars allegedly siphoned from the now-defunct state company, prompted investigations in the United States, Switzerland, and Singapore.
Rosmah, 73, faced 12 charges of money laundering involving 7.1 million ringgit ($1.6 million) and five charges of failing to declare her income between December 4, 2013, and June 8, 2017. High Court judge K. Muniandy struck out all 17 charges, citing a lack of "probity, propriety, and legality" and ordered a "discharge amounting to an acquittal," according to a copy of the decision seen by AFP.
The Attorney-General’s office indicated it would appeal against the decision, as reported by Malaysian media.
Rosmah was previously sentenced to 10 years in jail on separate graft charges in September 2022 but has appealed that conviction and remains free on bail. She was accused in that case of seeking and receiving bribes to help a company secure a solar power project for rural schools in the Malaysian section of Borneo during her husband's tenure.
Rosmah has long faced criticism from Malaysians for her extensive collection of designer handbags, clothing, and jewelry, acquired during overseas shopping trips. This collection drew significant attention after police raids on their family home in 2018 following Najib’s election defeat.
These lavish items drew unflattering comparisons with former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos and contributed to accusations that the ousted ruling elite had lost touch with economically struggling and middle-class Malaysians.
Najib is currently serving a six-year jail term for corruption related to a massive financial scandal at sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. He has filed an appeal to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest, with a hearing scheduled for January 6.
The 1MDB scandal, involving billions of dollars allegedly siphoned from the now-defunct state company, prompted investigations in the United States, Switzerland, and Singapore.
