![[UPDATED] Anwar: I won't 'interfere' in Najib's DNAA decision](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F%255Bkwfokasd_1750401808.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] Anwar: I won't 'interfere' in Najib's DNAA decision
SUBANG JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he would not interfere in judicial matters following the court's decision to grant Datuk Seri Najib Razak a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) in his RM27 million SRC International Bhd linked money laundering case.
"That is a matter for the judge and the Attorney-General. I do not interfere," he told reporters briefly when asked to comment on the matter after performing Friday prayers at Kampung Seri Aman mosque, in Puchong, here.
The high court earlier granted Najib a DNAA over three money laundering charges involving RM27 million linked to SRC International Bhd.
High Court Judge K. Muniandy issued the ruling today after the prosecution failed to furnish the defence with hundreds of documents related to the trial, despite the charges being filed as early as 2019.
DNAA is when a court releases a person from charges without fully clearing them, meaning they can still be prosecuted for the same offence later.
Muniandy, when reading his judgment, said the prosecution failed to show that they can proceed with the trial in the near future as documents necessary to support the charges have yet to be procured, gathered, and served on the defence.
The court said the deputy public prosecutor also confirmed that the prosecution would not be prejudiced if a DNAA were granted, as they can pursue the case once they are ready.
On Feb 3, 2019, Najib claimed trial to three charges of money laundering involving RM27 million , allegedly received through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank Bhd, AmBank Group Building, Jalan Raja Chulan, on July 8, 2014.
He was charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM5 million, up to five years' imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
The former Umno president is currently serving a jail term in Kajang Prison for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds.
On Sept 2, 2022, he filed a petition for a royal pardon.
On Jan 29 this year, the Pardons Board halved his jail sentence from 12 to six years and reduced his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
24 minutes ago
- The Star
'Inexcusable': AGC must answer for repeated DNAAs in high-profile corruption cases, says C4
PETALING JAYA: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) must be held accountable for its repeated failures in a number of high-profile court cases that have ended in a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA), says the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4). It said the recent pattern of flawed prosecutions involving political figures that ended in a DNAA showcased a possible significant deep-rooted institutional incompetence within the prosecutorial office. 'These are not normal criminal cases; they implicate corruption involving some of the most powerful political figures in the country, and as such, should be treated with the highest priority. 'It is inexcusable that DNAAs keep being granted on the basis that the AGC had failed to adhere to basic procedures, which are part of any criminal prosecution. 'Not only were they simply not prepared for this case that has been in progress for 6 years, they did not even object to the DNAA,' it said in a press statement on Friday (June 20). This comes after former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was granted a DNAA for three counts of money laundering involving RM27mil linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd by the High Court on Friday (June 20). C4 said Najib's newest DNAA joins a long list of recent similar failures by the AGC in court, including Najib and former treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah being granted a DNAA in the RM6.6bil criminal breach of trust case linked to payments to the International Petroleum Investment Company (Ipic) in November last year. Another recent high-profile case involved Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who was granted a DNAA for all 47 graft charges involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds on Sept 4, 2023. C4 also questioned the lack of any attempts by the AGC to publicly address its repeated failures in high-profile court cases, adding that it was sowing public distrust in the government and judiciary. 'Why have there been no public attempts to remedy this or address these prosecutorial failures? 'This lack of accountability only serves to deepen public distrust, erode confidence in the rule of law, and reinforce the perception that justice in Malaysia is neither independent nor equal,' it added. It also called on the AGC to publicly commit to refiling the charges for all cases where political figures have received a DNAA as soon as possible.
Borneo Post
29 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
'I do not interfere', Anwar says on Najib's DNAA decision
Anwar on his way to lunch after Friday prayers in Puchong today. – Bernama photo PUCHONG (June 20): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim asserted that he had no involvement in the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to grant a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak over three money laundering charges involving RM27 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd. 'That is the judge's decision, and the Attorney General's. I do not interfere,' he said briefly when approached by reporters after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Kampung Seri Aman today. Earlier, Judge K Muniandy allowed the defence's application for a DNAA, citing the prosecution's lack of preparedness to proceed with trial proceedings, which have been marked by persistent postponements since 2019. The court was informed that the prosecution had yet to obtain the necessary documentary evidence. The delay, the judge noted, had denied the accused the right to a fair and timely resolution of the case. A DNAA means the accused is temporarily discharged from the charges, but may still be prosecuted for the same offences in the future if the prosecution decides to reinstate them. – Bernama anwar ibrahim dnaa Najib Tun Razak prime minister SRC International
The Sun
43 minutes ago
- The Sun
Anwar urges firms to engage directly with adopted schools
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has invited corporate figures and representatives of the sponsoring companies of the MADANI Adopted School programme to visit the school to provide early exposure to students on the importance of education for their future. Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, said that apart from contributing funds, the involvement of companies and corporate figures also opens up opportunities for students to interact with individuals who are directly involved in the management or operations of the company. 'I want to emphasise that it is important that companies and corporate figures share their experience, and successes with students... then the children will be attracted to emulate them. 'If you don't have time, once a month, once every two or three months or (at least twice a year, go down to the school yourself. Give the children a little tea and explain what education means and how education can change in terms of social mobility,' he said. He said this when speaking at the MADANI Adopted School programme launching ceremony which was also attended by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar here today. Anwar said the MADANI Adopted School initiative was also not just fulfilling corporate social responsibility (CSR), but rather fulfilling the meaning of 'compassion' or 'kindness' that was being sought to be included in the MADANI national framework. 'It is beyond CSR. We are talking about compassion when they take responsibility to build this nation together, ensuring that no one is left behind. There is no point talking about purely impressive growth figures, investment figures, if we do choose to neglect the poor and the marginalised,' he said. He said the government also welcomed the active role of the private sector in assisting in the development of national education, thus providing some relief in the issue of educational facilities and infrastructure. 'When we ask for cooperation, no one refuses, at least two schools will be given (assistance), some big companies will be given 30 schools. 'So I ask the Ministry of Education to give full cooperation (to the companies involved), at all levels,' said Anwar. Among the companies involved in the MADANI Adopted School initiative are Sime Darby Foundation, Petronas Foundation, UEM Foundation and TM Foundation, and the programme, which began in April, is jointly coordinated by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.
