Rosmah Rejoices Over Najib's Acquittal In 1MDB Audit Tampering Case
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak still has three other ongoing trials in separate courts.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 03 Mar 2023, 06:04 PM
Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor is delighted that her husband, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was acquitted in the 1MDB audit tampering case today, 3 March, calling it a victory for the whole family
Rosmah, who sat in the front row inside the public gallery this morning, appeared visibly relieved when Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan read out his judgement to acquit Najib and former 1MDB chief executive officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy, reported New Straits Times.
Speaking to reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex, she said the court's decision today will boost her husband's spirits to fight his other corruption trials involving the sovereign wealth fund.
"My husband said he was grateful for the acquittal... We hope for better things to come," she told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex.
"This surely will revive our spirits as a family."
Rosmah was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail in the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid graft case, but is allowed to roam freely for now as she was granted a stay of execution.
Rosmah smiling after the proceedings at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex today, 3 March.
Image via Amir Khalid/Kosmo!In his judgement today, High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan ruled that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against the accused
"[After] a maximum examination of the evidence, I find that the prosecution has failed to adduce credible evidence to prove the ingredients of the offence which would warrant a conviction," Benar News quoted the judge as saying.
"The prosecution has not made up a prima facie case against the second accused [Najib] and [he] is hence discharged and acquitted from the charge against him."
Mohamed Zaini added that Arul Kanda "did not attempt to cover up the shenanigans of 1MDB" as he "was roped in to rescue 1MDB and had left a promising career".
Lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah speaking at a press conference after the proceedings today.
Image via Bernama via New Straits TimesNajib, who is currently in jail over his conviction in the SRC International case, has three other trials in separate courts
Najib's other corruption and abuse of power cases include the 1MDB corruption trial involving RM2.3 billion and a separate SRC International money laundering case involving RM27 million.
The other case is six charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM6.64 billion when he was serving as the finance minister. He was jointly charged with Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, who served as then treasury secretary-general.
He is also currently reviewing his conviction and prison sentence in the SRC International case, and the Federal Court is expected to render a ruling before 31 March, reported Benar News.
