PUTRAJAYA — A Federal Court panel in Malaysia rejected Rosmah Mansor’s bid Wednesday to remove two judges from her appeal against a corruption conviction tied to a RM1.25 billion ($406.8 million) solar hybrid project in Sarawak, postponing the hearing to March 3 due to her absence.
Rosmah, wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, was not present, prompting her lawyer Jagjit Singh to request recusing Justices Nordin Hassan and Mohd Ruzima Ghazali. Singh argued the judges had links to another case-related matter.
Chairing the panel, Justice Nordin dismissed it outright, stating, “We find there is no real danger of bias for us to recuse ourselves. The application is dismissed.” Singh then explained Rosmah’s no-show stemmed from a recent fall injuring her hand and knees, leaving her on medical leave and unwilling to hospitalize despite advice.
Justice Azimah Omar, the third panel member, questioned the claim: “If you say she is not well enough to come to court because of the fall and can’t even attend, she should be in the hospital.” Justice Nordin rescheduled for March 3.
The appeal challenges the Court of Appeal’s rejection of Rosmah’s prior push to disqualify her High Court trial judge, filed just before a September 1, 2022, verdict. That day, she was convicted on three graft charges, drawing a 10-year prison term and RM970 million fine, or 30 years’ jail in default. Execution stays pending her broader appeal against conviction and sentence.