Be fair, don't 'stigmatise' Najib's DNAA: veteran lawyer
A lawyer has urged the public not to "stigmatise" the discharge not amounting an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Najib Abdul Razak, asserting that the legal decision is in the interest of ensuring fairness to all parties concerned.
Haniff Khatri Abdulla asserted that the documents needed by the prosecution to make its case against the former prime minister were currently being used in separate court proceedings.
As such, he argued that the prosecutors for this case - concerning three money laundering charges against Najib involving RM27 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd - would likely have been...
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The Star
20 minutes ago
- The Star
Najib's DNAA: Material documents unavailable because held up in 1MDB trial, says AGC
PETALING JAYA: All aspects will be examined and considered before taking any further action on the temporary discharge of Datuk Seri Najib Razak three counts of money laundering involving RM27mil linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd, says the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC). The AGC said there were some documents which were material for the current SRC International trial, and the prosecution had no choice but to wait until the relevant material documents were obtained after the 1MDB trial proceedings were completed. "It should be emphasised that the material documents are already available but are being used as evidence in the ongoing 1MDB trial," the AGC said in a statement on Friday (June 20). "The prosecution has requested time to gather all relevant material documents to be presented as evidence and testimony in the second SRC trial. This delay is not intentional but is to ensure that the integrity of the documents as evidence in the trial is always maintained. "The department is aware that this case has attracted public attention as it involves the former prime minister of Malaysia and throughout the proceedings before the Court, the department has taken action in accordance with the limits of the independence of the prosecution and the legal process. "The case was registered at the High Court on Feb 7, 2019 and has been set for trial five times in June 2020, July to August 2021, March to April 2022, September 2024 and April and May 2025." It said all trial dates of the case have been postponed for the following reasons: (i) Movement control order due to the Covid-19 pandemic; (ii) Application by the accused's counsel; or (iii) The prosecution's own application. The application for adjournment made by the prosecution is because (i) The trial proceedings of the first SRC case were still ongoing at that time at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court levels until fully completed on March 31, 2023; (ii) At the same time, the 1MDB trial proceedings had also begun while the first SRC case was still pending. Both cases above involved the use of some of the material documents that would be used in the second SRC trial. "This department emphasises that the allegations by certain parties that this department carries out "defective prosecution" are completely unfounded. This department always maintains the highest level and quality in line with the expectations of the people. "This department remains committed to upholding the rule of law and will continue to carry out its responsibilities under the Federal Constitution with integrity, fairness and respect for the judicial process," it said. Earlier, Judge K Muniandy allowed the defence's application for a DNAA over three money laundering charges involving RM27mil from SRC International Sdn Bhd, citing the prosecution's lack of preparedness to proceed with the trial, which has been postponed numerous times 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 so decides.
![News@9: Today's top headlines - June 20, 2025 [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
News@9: Today's top headlines - June 20, 2025 [WATCH]
Here are today's biggest stories. New top cop Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail will take over as Inspector-General of Police on June 23, succeeding Tan Sri Razarudin Husain. The Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kedah police chiefs will take on new roles at Bukit Aman as part of a major reshuffle in police leadership. Refined sugar will remain exempt from the revised Sales and Service Tax, the Finance Ministry said today. Najib gets DNAA Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been granted a DNAA over three money laundering charges, after the prosecution failed to furnish the defence with hundreds of documents. That's it for News@9.
Sinar Daily
2 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Najib relieved after court grants DNAA
With this, he said Najib can now concentrate fully on the 1MDB case. By NOOR AZLIDA ALIMIN 20 Jun 2025 05:14pm Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak seen at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex. - Bernama file photo KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is relieved to be free from yet another legal burden after the High Court granted him a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) over three money laundering charges involving RM27 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd. His lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, confirmed the development on Friday, stating Najib is relieved to have fewer cases weighing on him, particularly after multiple previous requests for a DNAA. The High Court here today granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over three money laundering charges involving RM27 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd. - Bernama file photo With this, he said Najib can now concentrate fully on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case. The High Court allowed the DNAA application filed on June 11. The decision followed Najib's failed bid to have the charges dropped after the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) rejected his representation on July 31, 2023. Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul had initially requested the court to set a new date for trial. However, Shafee again pressed for a DNAA, pointing out that the case had been ongoing since 2019 with over six years of delays. When asked about the possibility of an appeal, Shafee clarified that the deputy public prosecutor cannot challenge the decision, as the prosecution retains the option to pursue the case again once they are prepared. 'Of course, we hope they do not, because this case has already prejudiced against Najib. So I hope the Attorney General will use his discretion and authority to close the case,' he said. Najib was charged on Feb 3, 2019, with receiving RM27 million from illegal proceeds through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank, Jalan Raja Chulan, on July 8, 2014. The charges were brought under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, which carries a maximum of five years in prison, a RM5 million fine, or both, upon conviction. Despite this discharge, Najib continues to serve his sentence at Kajang Prison for misappropriating RM42 million from the same SRC International fund. He began serving his sentence on Aug 23, 2022. He was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and a RM210 million fine, which were upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court. However, a royal pardon petition filed on Sept 2, 2022, led to the Pardons Board reducing his sentence to six years and the fine to RM50 million.
