KUALA LUMPUR - The prosecution today filed an appeal against the High Court's decision to acquit and discharge Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor of 12 charges of money laundering involving over RM7 million, and five charges of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
In a statement issued by the Attorney General’s Chambers, Attorney General (AG) Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said that yesterday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court had granted the application by Rosmah, 73, to quash all 17 charges filed against her.
He further stated that the court subsequently ordered that Rosmah, the wife of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, be acquitted and discharged from all 17 charges.
"As a result, a notice of appeal was filed by the prosecution today against the entirety of the High Court’s decision, which will be decided by the Court of Appeal," he said.
In his ruling yesterday, Judge K. Muniandy determined that the prosecution had failed to present the key elements of the offence of money laundering in the charges brought against Rosmah.
On Oct 4, 2018, Rosmah pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of money laundering, involving RM7,097,750, and five counts for failing to declare her income to the IRB.
The offences were allegedly committed at Affin Bank Berhad, Bangunan Getah Asli branch, Ground Floor, 148 Jalan Ampang here between Dec 4, 2013, and June 8, 2017, and at the IRB, Kompleks Bangunan Kerajaan, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim here between May 1, 2014, and May 1, 2018.
The money laundering charges were framed under Section 4(1) (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act.
This offence is punishable by imprisonment of up to 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the illegal proceeds or RM5 million, whichever is higher upon conviction.
The tax evasion charges were brought under Section 77(1) of the Income Tax Act 1967, which required her to submit her income returns for the assessment years 2013 to 2017 to the IRB Director-General on or by April 30 of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, without reasonable excuse, in contravention of Section 112 of the Act.
Additionally, Rosmah is also appealing her conviction, 10-year imprisonment sentence, and an RM970 million fine over the corruption case involving the hybrid solar project for 369 rural schools.
The hearing is scheduled for March 5 next year at the Court of Appeal. - BERNAMA