‘I do not interfere': Anwar says Najib's RM27m SRC case discharge decision up to judge, AG
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
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Focus Malaysia
38 minutes ago
- Focus Malaysia
Social protection programmes key to poverty reduction
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As demonstrated by international examples, providing routes to education, work, and self-sufficiency is necessary to reduce poverty effectively. If these all-inclusive models are emulated, all Malaysians might gain from the country's progress, which could help Malaysia close the gap in economic inequality. ‒ June 20, 2025 The author is the Director of the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Bernama
Malay Mail
43 minutes ago
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Leaked call fallout: Thai PM meets army commander as allies threaten to walk
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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
PM: We're cutting debt gradually to keep investors' trust [WATCH]
PUTRAJAYA: The government is committed to gradually reducing the national debt while safeguarding economic growth and maintaining investor confidence, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In his address at the Finance Ministry's monthly assembly, Anwar said efforts had been ongoing to reduce the fiscal deficit from 5.5 per cent in 2022 to a projected 3.8 per cent this year. "Some people ask why we must reduce it so sharply — why not just channel more to the people? "But if we don't, we lose trust from investors, and trust is critical. Leadership and economic stewardship require making policies we genuinely believe in. "With trust comes the ability to solve wider issues — from revenue generation and job creation, to overall economic development," he said. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, rejected claims that the government's focus on reducing debt came at the expense of the people's welfare, saying it was part of a long‑term strategy that required prudent and measured management. He said the total national debt had decreased from RM100 billion in 2022 to RM90 billion in 2023, RM85 billion in 2024, and was expected to drop to RM80 billion this year. "Since we came into office in 2022, we have reduced the debt by RM20 billion," he said. Anwar added that resolving the national debt could not be done hastily, and required patience and a gradual approach. "It's like when a son inherits a company after his father's death and finds RM50,000 in debts. He can't wipe it out in a year — it has to be resolved step by step," he said. In March, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan announced the government's commitment to reducing the fiscal deficit to 3.8 per cent in 2025, in line with its long‑term goal of bringing it down gradually and consistently — from 5.5 per cent in 2022, to five per cent in 2023, and 4.1 per cent last year. He said this approach would also slow the rise in total debt by reducing new borrowings each year — from nearly RM100 billion in 2022, to RM92.6 billion in 2023, and roughly RM77 billion last year.
