Najib's additional money laundering charges retained, trial continues
KUALA LUMPUR - The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has rejected former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's representation to drop three additional money laundering charges involving RM27 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.
The matter was informed by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul when the case came up for mention before High Court Judge K.Muniandy.
"My Lord, I'm here to to inform the court that the representation has been rejected and the prosecution is going to proceed with the trial. My instructions are to inform the court of the matter and to seek trial dates,' he said.
At the same time, the prosecutor asked the court for a longer time as he needed more time to obtain documents as well as to prepare witness statements.
On Feb 3, 2019, Najib claimed trial to three charges of money laundering by accepting illegal proceeds amounting to RM27 million through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, AmBank Group Building, Jalan Raja Chulan on July 8, 2014.
Earlier, Mohd Ashrof informed the court that SRC's RM42 million case, which was previously presided over by then High Court Judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali (now a Court of Appeal Judge), involved 807 exhibits.
He stated that these exhibits are required for use in the current trial. Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak - BERNAMA FILE PIX
"Therefore, My Lord, the prosecution will be formally requesting the registry of the High Court to return those exhibits to the prosecution for this case. I have been informed that this will require a little bit of time, and therefore, we are humbly seeking for a longer trial date to be fixed," said the prosecutor.
Meanwhile, Najib 's lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah suggested that the court grant a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for his client, to avoid burdening the court's docket and to allow the prosecution time to prepare without prejudice.
"My Lord, the charges were preferred in 2019, and the representation was submitted on July 31, 2023. The defence believes there is merit to the representation due to the conclusive nature of the first SRC trial and subsequent appeals.
"The case has been ongoing since 2019, and the delay has spanned six years. Documents related to SRC are scattered across various courts, including the Federal Court and civil proceedings," said the lawyer.
The judge then asked the prosecutor for his view on the DNAA application, to which Mohd Ashrof said he disagreed as the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial.
"I disagree. However, regarding the documentation, I humbly request more time to obtain the necessary documents," Mohd Ashrof reiterated.
The court then fixed June 20 to decide on the DNAA application by Najib .
The former Pekan MP was charged under Section 4 (1) (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which is punishable by a maximum fine of RM5 million or imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction.
Najib is currently serving a jail term in Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million in the SRC International funds case.
On Sept 2, 2022, he filed a petition for a royal pardon, following which on Jan 29, 2024 the Pardons Board halved his jail term from 12 to six years and reduced the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million. - BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
38 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
Woman fined RM2,000 for purchasing illegal lottery at Jln Landeh
Wong committed the offence at an eatery at Jalan Landeh here at around 12.45pm on March 1, 2025. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 18): The Magistrates' Court here today fined a 19-year-old woman RM2,000 in default two weeks in jail for buying illegal lottery tickets. Magistrate Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Ali imposed the fine on Wong Shi Qing after she pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 9(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953. The Section carries a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or a jail term for up to six months or both, upon conviction. Wong committed the offence at an eatery at Jalan Landeh here at around 12.45pm on March 1, 2025. Based on the facts of the case, a police team raided the premises during an Op Dadu operation and arrested Wong for suspected involvement in illegal lottery activities. Seized from her were a mobile phone, a piece of paper, and RM276. Investigation revealed that the seized mobile phone contained four purchases of illegal lottery tickets. Wong was unrepresented by legal counsel. fine illegal lottery Kuching
Free Malaysia Today
41 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Yusoff Rawther wants Anwar's reference appeal heard on July 21
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is appealing the High Court's refusal to refer eight legal questions to the Federal Court for determination arising from a civil suit brought by former research assistant Yusoff Rawther. PUTRAJAYA : Lawyers for former research assistant Yusoff Rawther have requested that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's appeal, seeking to refer several legal and constitutional questions to the Federal Court, be expedited and fixed for hearing on July 21. In a letter to Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, the Law Practice of Rafique said the appeal records were complete, as the High Court had issued its written grounds for dismissing Anwar's application. 'A case management can be held earlier so that the appeal can be heard and disposed of on July 21,' the letter sighted by FMT read. The lawyers said the appeal was limited to questions of law as there are no facts in dispute. On June 10, a three-member Court of Appeal bench allowed Anwar an ad interim stay of a civil suit brought by Yusoff against him, and fixed July 21 for the full hearing of the stay application. The appeals court also fixed the appeal proper for case management on Sept 2. Rafique Rashid Ali, who is representing Yusoff, confirmed the matter. As a result of the ad interim stay, the trial of the suit, scheduled to begin on June 16 before Justice Roz Mawar Rozian, was vacated. Roz Mawar had on June 4 dismissed Anwar's reference application, ruling that none of the eight questions posed had succeeded in crossing the threshold set out in Section 84 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. In her 21-page judgment, she held that the application was misconceived on jurisdictional grounds and rested on speculative doctrines which lacked a constitutional basis. Anwar wants the apex court to rule on whether Articles 5(1), 8(1), 39, 40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution grant him qualified immunity from the suit filed by Yusoff four years ago. The suit relates to events which allegedly took place before Anwar took office on Nov 24, 2022. Yusoff, a grandson of the late Penang consumer advocate SM Mohamed Idris, claims he was assaulted at Anwar's home in Segambut in October 2018. He is seeking general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court. Anwar denies the claim and has filed a countersuit.
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
DAP Sarawak chief vows to keep fighting to clear Michael Kong's name after court setback
Chong also appealed for public support, saying any form of encouragement for Kong would be sincerely appreciated by those who believe in the principles underpinning the case. KUCHING (June 18): Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen today affirmed that efforts to clear Michael Kong Feng Nian's name will continue. This follows the Court of Appeal's dismissal of Kong's application for a stay of execution in a defamation suit filed by Datuk Richard Wee Liang Chiat. The Court of Appeal rejected Kong's application to stay the High Court's judgement, which had ordered him to pay RM250,000 (RM200,000 in damages and RM50,000 in legal costs) to Wee for defaming him in a Facebook post dated July 21, 2020. The appellate court's decision upholds the High Court ruling delivered on Jan 26, 2024. The judgment also includes a 5 per cent annual interest on the damages, calculated from the date of publication until full settlement. Chong in a statement said with today's ruling, Kong must now pay the RM200,000 judgment sum, accrued interests and a total of RM60,000 in costs—bringing the financial burden to about RM310,000. 'While it is deeply regrettable that such a hefty amount must be paid before the Court of Appeal hears and decides on the merits of the appeal, we must nevertheless respect and comply with the Court's decision,' he said. 'Kong's political struggle and legal battle alongside this journey has not been easy, but together with Kong, we remain steadfast in his conviction and will continue to pursue the appeal to clear his name.' Chong also appealed for public support, saying any form of encouragement for Kong would be sincerely appreciated by those who believe in the principles underpinning the case. Kong, who is Chong's special assistant, was represented in the legal proceedings by Chong himself along with his legal team. Chong Chieng Jen Court lead Michael Kong Richard Wee
