Rosmah Mansor’s Bid to Recuse Federal Judges Fails

PUTRAJAYA (Azat TV) – Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saw her last-minute bid to recuse two Federal Court judges dismissed yesterday, a move that has further postponed her appeal hearing in a high-profile corruption case until March 3, 2026. The apex court rejected the application, citing no real danger of bias, amidst questions regarding Rosmah’s absence due to an alleged fall.

Rosmah, who is appealing a 2022 corruption conviction, sought to remove Justices Nordin Hassan and Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali from the three-judge panel. Her lawyer, Datuk Jagjit Singh, informed the court that his client had instructed him to seek their recusal, arguing that the two judges had previously presided over another matter involving Rosmah’s attempt to recuse the late Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram from the prosecution team.

Federal Court Dismisses Recusal Application

Justice Nordin Hassan, who chaired the panel, questioned the basis of the recusal request, asking if there was ‘a real danger of bias’ based on the cases mentioned. He advised Jagjit Singh that a lawyer should guide their client, not the other way around, though Singh maintained he was merely following instructions. Ultimately, the panel, which also included Justice Azimah Omar, unanimously dismissed the application.

“With regards to the application to recuse myself and Justice Che Mohd Ruzima, we find there is no real danger of bias for us to recuse ourselves. The application is dismissed,” Justice Nordin stated, putting an end to the eleventh-hour request.

Questions Over Rosmah Mansor’s Absence

Following the dismissal of the recusal bid, the Federal Court queried Rosmah Mansor’s absence from the proceedings. Datuk Jagjit Singh explained that his client was unwell, having sustained an injury to her hand and knees after preventing a complete fall. He requested a postponement of the hearing.

However, Justice Azimah Omar expressed skepticism, noting that Rosmah had been granted sick leave until February 28 but had declined hospitalization despite being advised to do so. “If you say she is not well to come to court because of the fall and she can’t even attend court, she should be in the hospital,” Justice Azimah remarked, highlighting that the defence was seeking an adjournment for a ‘long pending’ Federal Court matter. Deputy public prosecutor Mangaiarkarasi Krishnan did not object to the adjournment, leaving the decision to the court.

Despite co-counsel Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader requesting a new date after Hari Raya, Justice Nordin refused a lengthy delay, instead fixing March 3 for the parties to reconvene, allowing only a short adjournment.

Background of the Corruption Appeal

Rosmah Mansor’s current appeal challenges the Court of Appeal’s decision not to recuse the original High Court trial judge, Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan (now a Court of Appeal judge), who presided over her RM1.25 billion corruption trial. She had initially sought to recuse Justice Mohamed Zaini just before he was slated to deliver his decision on September 1, 2022.

On that same day, Rosmah was found guilty of three corruption charges linked to a solar hybrid project in Sarawak. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined RM970 million, with a default of 30 years in prison if the fine is not paid. The charges included one count of soliciting RM187.5 million and two counts of receiving RM6.5 million in bribes from former Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin, all connected to the solar hybrid project. She was granted a stay of execution on her sentences pending her appeal against her conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal.

The Federal Court’s swift dismissal of Rosmah Mansor’s recusal application and the court’s scrutiny of her absence underscore the judiciary’s resolve to proceed with high-profile corruption cases, despite attempts by the defense to introduce delays or procedural challenges.