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AGC withdraws Fat Mama’s RM1.25b graft case appeal against acquittal
Update 1
Tebrau MP seeks answers over AGC’s withdrawal of appeal in Rosmah case
Jimmy Puah says the argument that ‘witnesses have died or cannot be traced’ has no direct relevance to the prosecution’s ability to proceed with the appeal.
PKR MP Jimmy Puah said the AGC’s decision to not proceed with the appeal against Rosmah Mansor’s acquittal raises questions about the transparency and integrity of the justice system. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah has urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers to further clarify its decision to drop the appeal against Rosmah Mansor’s acquittal on money laundering and terrorism financing-related charges.
Puah, a lawyer by training, said the decision raises questions about the transparency and integrity of the justice system, especially when it involves high-profile individuals.
“Although the attorney-general has discretionary powers under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution, such decisions must still be explained openly and comprehensively to maintain public confidence in our nation’s institutions of justice.
“I hope the AG will provide a more complete explanation of the basis and considerations behind this decision, as transparency is essential to public trust and the rule of law,” he said in a statement.
Earlier today, the AGC cited “no realistic prospect of success” as a reason for withdrawing its appeal against Rosmah acquittal after a review of High Court judge K Muniandy’s grounds of judgment.
It said that among the factors taken into account is that the prosecution could not prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, which is required in a court trial, as some important witnesses have died.
The AGC also maintained that all key aspects of the case, including factual and legal issues, have been thoroughly examined.
Puah said that one of the reasons given, that key witnesses had died or could not be located, is untenable and inconsistent with fundamental legal principles.
“In appellate proceedings, the Court of Appeal does not reassess facts or call new witnesses; it merely examines whether the lower court had applied the law correctly.
“All evidence and testimony have already been recorded in the High Court, so the unavailability of witnesses should not form the basis for withdrawing the appeal,” he said.
He acknowledged that in “very rare or truly exceptional circumstances”, an appellate court may call additional witnesses or admit fresh evidence. “However, such situations are exceedingly uncommon, and it is clear that this case does not meet those criteria.”
“Therefore, the argument that witnesses have died or cannot be traced has no direct relevance to the prosecution’s ability to proceed with the appeal,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12, 2025: The Attorney-General’s Office (AGC) has dropped its appeal against Rosmah “Fat Mama” Mansor’s RM1.25 billion corruption acquittal.
The AGC cites that there was no realistic chance of success in the appeal against Rosmah, the wife of disgraced and shameless former prime minister Najib “1MDB” Razak and Umno president who is serving his jail sentence in Kajang Prison.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below news reports and information of Fat Mama:
No realistic chance of success, says AGC on not appealing Rosmah’s acquittal
Attorney-General’s Chambers says Rosmah Mansor's RM1.25 billion corruption case related to a solar energy project for rural schools in Sarawak remains ongoing.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled last December that the charges against Rosmah Mansor were illegal and flawed as they did not comply with provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has cited no realistic prospect of success as a reason for withdrawing its appeal against Rosmah Mansor’s acquittal on money laundering and terrorism financing-related charges.
The AGC said it filed an appeal on Oct 30 against the High Court ruling last year, but decided not to proceed after reviewing the grounds of judgment.
“After fully examining the grounds of the judgment, the AGC has decided not to proceed with the appeal to the Court of Appeal, after being satisfied that there is no prospect of success if the appeal is continued.
“Among the factors taken into account is that the prosecution could not prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, which is required in a court trial, as some important witnesses have died,” it said in a statement.
The AGC maintained that all key aspects of the case, including factual and legal issues, were thoroughly examined.
“As such, a notice of discontinuance was filed on Dec 9,” it said.
It added that the hearings related to Rosmah’s appeal in her RM1.25 billion corruption case related to a solar energy project for rural schools in Sarawak remained ongoing.
Rosmah was previously convicted by the High Court on three corruption charges linked to the solar project, receiving a 10-year jail term and a RM970 million fine.
“The execution of that sentence has been stayed pending the outcome of the accused’s appeal at the Court of Appeal,” the AGC said.
Rosmah, 74, had been standing trial on 12 money laundering charges involving RM7.09 million and five charges of failing to declare her income to the Inland Revenue Board.
She was accused of committing the offences between Dec 4, 2013 and June 8, 2017, and was charged on Oct 4, 2018.
Her trial, which began on Aug 24, 2023, stalled after she filed a striking-out application on Sept 6.
A notice of appeal was filed on Dec 20, 2024, a day after Justice K Muniandy ruled that the charges against the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak were illegal and flawed as they did not comply with provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code.
While visual records of Rosmah Mansor's specific high-value jewelry pieces are limited in public legal proceedings, detailed descriptions of her multi-million dollar gemstone collection emerged through the 1MDB investigations and court trials.
Notable Gemstones and Jewelry Collections
· The 22-Carat Pink Diamond Necklace: A heart-shaped pink diamond necklace worth US$23 million was created by Lorraine Schwartz. Records showed it was personally delivered to Rosmah in Monaco, though she has consistently denied receiving or possessing the item. During US court proceedings, jurors were shown the invoice but not the physical necklace or a photograph of it.
· ** الأصفر (Yellow) and Brown Diamond Chain:** Seized during police raids, this chain set in gold was valued at approximately US$1.5 million, marking it as the most valuable piece of jewelry physically recovered by authorities.
· Massive 2018 Seizure: Malaysian authorities seized 12,000 pieces of jewelry from residences linked to Najib Razak and Rosmah. This included:
· 1,400 necklaces.
· 2,200 rings.
· 2,800 pairs of earrings.
· 14 tiaras.
· Lebanese Jeweller's Consignment: A lawsuit by Global Royalty Trading claimed Rosmah had requested 44 pieces of jewelry—including diamond rings, necklaces, and earrings—valued at over US$14.7 million (RM60 million) for viewing. These were subsequently seized by Malaysian authorities.
Visual Documentation in Legal Proceedings
Public visual documentation of the collection primarily consists of:
· Evidence of Purchase: Jurors in US trials were shown an invoice for the 22-carat pink diamond and other purchase records.
· Police Photos of Seized Goods: Authorities released images of orange Hermes Birkin bag boxes and miscellaneous seized luxury items during official press conferences following the 2018 raids.
Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal ensnares Najib’s wife
Ex-First Lady Rosmah Mansor, an unabashed symbol of the ex-government’s free-spending extravagance, now faces 17 charges of money laundering
by Nile BowieOctober 4, 2018
Rosmah Mansor (C), wife of former Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak, arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court on October 4, 2018. Photo: Anadolu Agency via AFP Forum/Adli Ghazali
At the height of their power, Malaysia’s then Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, appeared confident they had ridden out the storm of their alleged roles in a multibillion-dollar corruption scandal.
Domestic probes into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) development fund Najib created and oversaw as chairman of its advisory board had cleared him of any misconduct, critics had been sacked, rivals imprisoned and the largesse continued to flow.
The gilded pair now face the prospect of spending the rest of their lives behind bars on corruption-related charges. Malaysia’s former first couple have had their world turned upside down since the resounding electoral defeat of Najib’s ruling coalition in May.
Appearing on Thursday morning at a court in Kuala Lumpur, Rosmah, 66, pled not guilty to 17 charges, including money laundering, laid against her by prosecutors. She was arrested on October 3 by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), an anti-graft body investigating how billions of dollars went missing from 1MDB. Rosmah faces a potential 15 years in prison if convicted of the charges.
Najib is similarly facing a total of 32 charges for offenses that include abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, money laundering and corruption. Money laundering probes into 1MDB dealings are ongoing in at least six countries, including the United States, which has seized assets linked to graft proceeds.
Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor before his shock poll defeat in May 2018. Photo: Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha
Malaysia’s newly elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who had once been Najib’s political mentor, reopened a domestic probe into 1MDB as one of his first acts as premier. Their arrests and trials followed a whirlwind of police raids, court appearances and marathon interrogation sessions.
The former first couple were barred from international travel on Mahathir’s orders after they attempted to board a flight to Jakarta three days after Najib’s ruling coalition was toppled. Given the timing and circumstances, the move was widely interpreted as a quiet bid to flee the country to avoid criminal charges.
Investigators at the Department of Justice (DoJ) believe US$4.5 billion was looted from the fund between 2009 to 2014 in a global web of transactions involving shell companies and other intermediaries. The former premier maintains his innocence and denies all wrongdoing in connection with funds misappropriated from 1MDB.
It is unclear whether the charges leveled today against Rosmah, which relate to offenses such as the use of illegal proceeds and failure to declare income tax, pertain directly to 1MDB.
Her arrest came after three earlier rounds of questioning, including a session last week that stretched on for nearly 13 hours. A judge set her bail at two million ringgit (US$482,500). She left the court today without speaking to reporters.
Rosmah had been widely vilified as a symbol of opulence and suspected corruption by Malaysians. Renowned for her ostentatious displays of wealth and chartered shopping expeditions, her spending habits appeared to many as far outpacing her husband’s government salary.
Malaysia’s then First Lady Rosmah Mansor (centre R) looks at a Malaysian chocolate product during the launch of Malaysia’s ‘Agrobazaar’ in Singapore on August 27, 2014. Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman
Often seen in public with diamond jewelry and Hermès Birkin handbags, many suspected her involvement in corruption scandals associated with her husband.
Rosmah had staff in the prime minister’s office and sources allege she often prevailed in her attempts to exercise political influence during her husband’s tenure, lasting from 2009 to 2018.
WSJ journalists Tom Wright and Bradley Hope, authors of the newly released book “Billion Dollar Whale”, published an article in June which described Rosmah as a “political force and central actor” in the 1MDB scandal, linking her to fugitive Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, regarded by many as the graft scandal’s mastermind.
The authors claim that Rosmah was responsible for helping to orchestrate Low’s involvement with the state fund after she learned of his business connections to Middle East royalty and prominent Persian Gulf families. He allegedly introduced her Hollywood celebrities and created a shell company to mask her extensive luxury purchases.
“The wife had more of a picture than the husband,” according to a source quoted in the report who claimed former premier Najib was “only partly in the loop” and “focused on obtaining funds for political uses rather than personal spending.”
Rosmah’s lawyers have denied the allegations and said the article is an attempt to defame their client.
Arzene Ahmad, Rosmah Mansor’s estranged daughter, in a file photo. Photo: Pinterest
Azrene Ahmad, the former first lady’s estranged daughter from her first marriage in 1987, shared a post on her social media accounts shortly after elections in May claiming that she had witnessed Najib and Rosmah’s many “trespasses, deals and handshakes” which she alleged were “made for the benefit of power and to fuel their appetite for greed.”
Calling herself the “black sheep of the family,” Azrene claimed knowledge of “numerous offshore accounts opened to launder money out of the country” and “steel safes full of jewels, precious stones and cash amassed.” She alleged that Rosmah had employed shamans and witch doctors to “gain dominion” over peers and family members.
Azrene’s sibling, Riza Aziz, was questioned by MACC graft investigators in July and is known to have a more cordial relationship with the ex-premier. His film production company, Red Granite Pictures, paid US$60 million to the DoJ in a civil forfeiture suit covering rights and interests claims to “The Wolf of Wall Street” and other films in March.
The Hollywood blockbuster was widely suspected to have been financed with 1MDB funds. Though the settlement did not constitute “an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of Red Granite,” according to the court filing, Riza’s compliance with the DoJ’s asset seizure demands has been widely interpreted as an admission of guilt.
A construction worker talks on the phone in front of a 1MDB billboard at the Tun Razak Exchange in Kuala Lumpur, February 3, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Olivia Harris
Police seized around US$275 million worth of cash and luxury goods from properties linked to Najib and Rosmah, which authorities claim to be the single largest haul in Malaysian history. Raids launched in May confiscated 567 handbags, 423 watches and 12,000 pieces of jewelry, including 1,400 necklaces, 2,200 rings, 2,800 pairs of earrings and 14 tiaras.
Rosmah had reportedly accumulated one of the world’s largest collections of pink diamonds. DoJ investigators believe she acquired a 22-carat pink diamond necklace valued at US$27.3 million, though the item was not recovered during the police seizures. The most valuable piece of jewelry seized was a necklace worth around US$1.5 million.
Investigators also said they recovered the equivalent of US$28 million in 26 different currencies. The former Malaysian premier denies that pilfered funds were used to fund the luxury purchases and maintained the confiscated items were “gifts [which] were accumulated over decades.”
Analysts have argued that endemic corruption that many widely associated with Rosmah played a crucial part in eroding support for Najib’s government, a development that set the country on a new political course. Malaysians, to be sure, never imagined they would see the once-dominant first family answering charges in the dock.
Jury shown invoice of US$23mil diamond necklace created for Rosmah
DVD cover of 'The Wolf of Wall Street' with screen shot of credits thanking Jho Low for his support is also shown at Roger Ng's trial.
Jho Low contacted New York jeweller Lorraine Schwartz to create a pink diamond necklace with a heart-shaped gem at its centre for Rosmah Mansor in June 2013, court records show.
NEW YORK: The jury in the trial of former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker Roger Ng finally got a look at hard proof of the treasures bought with money allegedly looted in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB corruption scandal.
But the jurors did not get to see the actual US$23 million necklace with a pink diamond big enough to be a paperweight that was created by prestigious New York jeweller Lorraine Schwartz for Rosmah Mansor, the wife of the former prime minister Najib Razak.
They were not even shown a photo of the necklace. They saw an invoice.
And so it went on Wednesday in Brooklyn federal court, where prosecutors were winding down their case and showing jurors how billions of dollars diverted from three US$6.5 billion 1MDB bond transactions by fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, were used to buy luxury items.
Low is also accused of diverting funds from 1MDB to Najib’s stepson, Riza Aziz, who was a friend of the financier, to help produce “The Wolf of Wall Street”.
The jury was shown a photo of the plastic case for the DVD of the film – and a screen shot from the credits thanking Low for his support.
Aziz’s Red Granite production company agreed in 2018 to pay US$60 million to settle claims brought by the US Justice Department that it financed the movie and other pictures with stolen 1MDB money.
Prosecutors claim an entity controlled by Low also used 1MDB money to buy five artworks from Christie’s auction house for US$58.3 million, including US$51.8 million spent on a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting titled “Dustheads”.
More invoices were shown to the jury – and also a thumbnail picture of “Dustheads”.
Schwartz, who has designed for celebrities like Beyonce, Adele and Blake Lively, could have been a witness in the case. But she instead gave a statement that prosecutors entered into the official court record.
Low contacted Schwartz in June 2013, asking the jeweller to create a pink diamond necklace with a heart-shaped gem at its centre for Rosmah, the jeweller’s records show. But while Rosmah asked for an 18-carat diamond, “Ms Schwartz said she only had a 22-carat pink diamond”, and a US$23 million deal was struck for the larger stone.
Schwartz later personally delivered the necklace to Rosmah while she was staying aboard a yacht with Low off the coast of Monaco, the records show. Rosmah later bought an additional US$1.3 million in jewellery from Schwartz in 2014, according to the records.
Ng, the only Goldman banker to go to trial in the scandal, is accused of conspiring with his former boss, Tim Leissner, to help Low siphon billions of dollars from a trio of bond deals the bank did for 1MDB.
Low was also charged with Ng in the fraud in abstentia. Leissner pleaded guilty, is cooperating with the US and testified against Ng at the trial.
Neither Najib nor Rosmah were charged by the US, and lawyers for the couple could not immediately be reached for comment. Najib is appealing his conviction on corruption charges in connection with SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.
Report: Rosmah’s US$23m pink diamond necklace in the spotlight at Roger Ng 1MDB trial in New York
Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court February 23,2022. — Picture by Devan Manuel
By BEN TAN
Thursday, 24 Mar 2022 5:22 PM MYT
JOHOR BARU, March 24 — The jury in the trial of former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker Roger Ng yesterday were shown the receipt for the US$23 million necklace with a large pink diamond created by New York jeweller Lorraine Schwartz for Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
According to Bloomberg, the receipt, in the form of an invoice, was part of the evidence to prove that the necklace was bought with money allegedly looted from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The report noted, however, that the jury was not offered or shown a photo of the necklace during the proceedings in a Brooklyn federal court yesterday.
US prosecutors are attempting to demonstrate how billions of dollars diverted from three US$6.5 billion 1MDB bond transactions by fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, or popularly known as Jho Low, were blown on luxury items.
According to Bloomberg, the jeweller’s records showed that Low had contacted Schwartz in June 2013, asking her to create a pink diamond necklace with a heart-shaped gem at its centre for the wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The report revealed that while Rosmah asked for an 18-carat diamond, Schwartz said she only had a 22-carat pink diamond, and a US$23 million deal was struck for the larger stone.
Records showed that Schwartz later personally delivered the necklace to Rosmah while the latter was staying aboard a yacht with Low off the coast of Monaco.
Records also showed that Rosmah later bought an additional US$1.3 million in jewellery from Schwartz in 2014.
Ng, the only Goldman banker to stand trial in the scandal, is accused of conspiring with his former boss Tim Leissner to help Low syphon billions of dollars from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund.
Leissner, who pleaded guilty to fraud charges related to the scandal, is cooperating with US authorities and testified against Ng at the trial.
Low is also accused of diverting funds from 1MDB to Najib’s stepson, Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, to fund the film, The Wolf of Wall Street.
The report said the jury was shown a photo of the plastic case for the DVD of the film as well as a screen shot from the credits thanking Low for his support.
Riza’s Red Granite production company agreed in 2018 to pay US$60 million to settle claims brought by the US Justice Department that it financed the movie and other pictures with stolen 1MDB money.
Riza had twice before settled Justice Department lawsuits over his role in the 1MDB scandal.
In 2020, he resolved a separate government suit by agreeing to drop claims to tens of millions of dollars in United States and United Kingdom property without admitting wrongdoing.
The Bloomberg report also said that prosecutors claimed an entity controlled by Low also used 1MDB money to buy five artworks from Christie’s auction house for US$58.3 million, including a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting titled Dustheads for US$51.8 million.
It said more invoices were shown to the jury as well as a thumbnail picture of the Dustheads painting.
Rosmah was charged with graft offences linked to 1MDB in Malaysia, while Najib is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. - Malay Mail
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