On March 3, 2026, the Federal Court of Malaysia unanimously dismissed Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's final attempt to recuse the trial judge who convicted her in the RM1.25 billion Sarawak solar hybrid project corruption case. A three-member panel, chaired by Justice Datuk Nordin Hassan, ruled that Rosmah failed to establish a "real danger of bias" by Judge Datuk Mohamed Zaini Mazlan. The court also found no breach of judicial ethics regarding a leaked draft judgment, confirming the trial judge had prepared the decision independently. 

This landmark ruling effectively ends Rosmah's pursuit of a retrial and clears the legal path for the Court of Appeal to proceed with her main appeal against her conviction and sentence. Previously, the hearing had been delayed due to her applications for recusal and a recent medical leave following a fall at home. With these preliminary challenges resolved, the judiciary can now focus on the core appeal regarding the 10-year prison sentence and the record RM970 million fine imposed on her in 2022. 

Rosmah was originally found guilty of soliciting RM187.5 million and receiving bribes totaling RM6.5 million as an inducement to help a company secure a government contract. While she maintains her innocence and remains out on a RM2 million bail, the High Court’s stay of execution continues pending the outcome of the upcoming appellate hearing. Case management for the main appeal has been fixed for tomorrow to determine the next steps in the long-running legal saga.