A Malaysian court has acquitted Rosmah Mansor, the wife of imprisoned former prime minister Najib Razak, of 17 charges related to money laundering and tax evasion, citing a lack of legal and evidentiary basis.

Rosmah, 73, was accused of laundering 7.1 million ringgit ($1.6 million) and failing to declare her income between December 2013 and June 2017. High Court Judge K. Muniandy dismissed all charges, describing them as lacking “probity, propriety, and legality,” and granted a "discharge amounting to an acquittal," according to court documents obtained by AFP.

The Attorney-General’s office has announced plans to appeal the decision, Malaysian media reported.

Previous Conviction and Public Criticism
Rosmah remains a controversial figure in Malaysia. In September 2022, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison on separate corruption charges related to soliciting and accepting bribes in exchange for facilitating a solar energy project for rural schools in Borneo. She has appealed that conviction and remains out on bail.

Her luxurious lifestyle has long drawn criticism, with a vast collection of designer handbags, clothing, and jewelry becoming emblematic of alleged excesses during her husband’s tenure. Public outrage peaked after police raids on their family home in 2018 uncovered millions of dollars’ worth of luxury items, reminiscent of former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos.

Najib Razak’s 1MDB Scandal
Meanwhile, Najib Razak is serving a six-year prison sentence for corruption linked to the 1MDB scandal, one of the largest financial scandals in history. Billions of dollars were allegedly siphoned from the state-run fund, triggering investigations across the United States, Switzerland, and Singapore.

Najib has applied to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, with a hearing scheduled for January 6, 2025.

The 1MDB scandal and subsequent allegations of corruption against Najib and Rosmah played a significant role in Najib’s 2018 election defeat, ending the decades-long dominance of Malaysia's ruling coalition. The case has become a symbol of the need for accountability and transparency in Malaysian politics.