Latest news with #MuhammadShafeeAbdullah
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Citing potential ‘delays' and need to expedite, Najib's lawyer asks for ‘house arrest' order challenge be heard by apex court instead
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 13 — Counsels for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today asked for the Federal Court instead of a lower court to hear his legal challenge over an addendum issued by a former King permitting the serving of Najib's remaining reduced sentence under house arrest, citing 'delay' concerns raised by the former premier. Lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah made the oral application following the Federal Court's unanimous decision to remit the case to the High Court for the hearing of substantive judicial review proceedings before a new judge. The Federal Court had earlier ruled that the addendum exists following concessions made by the Attorney General in previous hearings despite its validity being inconclusive at this stage and that its validity needed to be ascertained at the High Court. Muhammad Shafee said even if he could 'move mountains', the case would still take about two years to complete in his estimation and that Najib could not wait any longer. However, a three-member panel led by Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim dismissed the application since there were 'too many loose ends to be tied up' and that it was not up to the Federal Court to make that determination. Also on the bench were Federal Court judges Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah. As CJM, Hasnah said she has given strict instructions to subordinate judges to complete their cases within nine to 12 months, further noting that delays were only Muhammad Shafee's assumption. She also noted that all three panel members were due for retirement soon with some having only three months left in their tenures. 'We are normal human beings. We are not robots. We need to read and digest. We don't just take lawyers' submissions (at face value). We do our own research,' she said. Hasnah also highlighted that the Attorney General's Chambers would also need time to respond to such an application, with Justice Zabariah further noting that the Federal Court would be the final avenue for Najib to ventilate his case and would be unfair to him. To this, Muhammad Shafee said his client was prepared to take the risk. Nevertheless, the panel responded by saying the matter should be remitted to the High Court for a full hearing in the interest of justice. The panel then fixed August 18 for case management at the High Court before a new judge to hear Najib's judicial review application after a previous dismissal for leave at the High Court in July 2024. In his application for leave to seek judicial review filed on April 1, 2024, Najib claimed Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah issued the order during the January 29, 2024 meeting of the board, for the former to serve the remainder of his reduced sentence under house arrest. Other reliefs sought by Najib include for the court to compel the respondents to execute said supplementary order. Najib has been imprisoned since August 23, 2022, after the Federal Court upheld his conviction for criminal breach of trust, power abuse, and money laundering over the misappropriation of SRC International Sdn Bhd's funds. The Pardon's Board said it had also decided to reduce his RM210 million fine to RM50 million, and his early release would be contingent on him paying this amount.
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Malaysian court drops money laundering charges against jailed ex-leader Najib Razak
A Malaysian court dropped three money laundering charges against jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak on Friday, in a case linked to the multibillion-dollar looting of a state fund. Najib was previously convicted in a graft case tied to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad state fund, or 1MBD, and began serving time in 2022, after losing his final appeal. He also faces other graft trials. The High Court 's decision to drop the charges alleging Najib received 27 million ringgit ($6.3 million) in illegal proceeds to his bank accounts came after procedural delays by the prosecution, which saw the case dragging on for six years, Najib's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said. Prosecutors could not give the court a timeline for when they will be ready for the trial, he added. Prosecutors reserve the right to revive charges against Najib and a discharge does not mean an acquittal, Shafee said. But, Najib was happy and can now focus on the main 1MDB trial, he added. Najib set up 1MDB shortly after taking power in 2009. Investigators allege that more than $4.5 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered by his associates to finance Hollywood films and extravagant purchases. The scandal upended Najib's government and he was defeated in the 2018 election. Last November, the High Court also discharged Najib and the former treasury chief in another 1MDB-linked corruption case after repeated delays by the prosecution. The pair can still be charged for the same offence in the future. In 2023, Najib was acquitted on separate charges of tampering with a government audit into 1MDB. Najib was sentenced to 12 years in jail in his first graft trial but the sentence was halved by the Pardon Boards in 2024. Najib alleged the board had issued a home arrest order for him to complete his sentence at home, but the case is still being heard in court. Najib awaits his verdict in another key case that ties him directly to the 1MDB scandal, which has prompted investigations in the U.S. and several other countries. The defense in May closed their case on four charges of abuse of power to obtain over $700 million from 1MDB that went into Najib's bank accounts, and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount. Closing arguments are scheduled in October, after which the court will set a date for verdict.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
AGC to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Muhammad Shafee
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) will initiate contempt of court proceedings against prominent lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah over his public remarks likening proceedings at the Kuala Lumpur High Court to a 'Nazi Germany-style hearing'. It said the remarks, made in the context of an ongoing case, constituted a serious and improper attack on the dignity, authority, and independence of the judiciary. 'While lawyers are entitled to challenge judicial decisions through proper legal channels, making public statements that tarnish the image of the court or undermine public confidence in the administration of justice is unacceptable in our legal system. 'The Attorney General views this matter seriously as one that involves constitutional and institutional importance,' it said in a statement. The AGC emphasised that contempt proceedings will be pursued to uphold the rule of law, preserve the integrity of judicial processes as well as protect the judiciary from unfounded allegations and undue public pressure. The statement was issued in response to recent media reports and a statement by Messrs Shafee & Co today regarding the use of the term 'Nazi Germany' during a press conference held outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday (May 29). Muhammad Shafee reportedly responded to a journalist's question regarding a court order that temporarily stayed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's judicial review proceedings concerning the existence of an additional document that would allow him to serve the remaining six years of his prison sentence under house arrest.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
AGC to file contempt proceedings against Muhammad Shafee
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) will initiate contempt of court proceedings against prominent lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah over his public remarks likening proceedings at the Kuala Lumpur High Court to a 'Nazi Germany-style hearing'. It said the remarks, made in the context of an ongoing case, constituted a serious and improper attack on the dignity, authority, and independence of the judiciary. 'While lawyers are entitled to challenge judicial decisions through proper legal channels, making public statements that tarnish the image of the court or undermine public confidence in the administration of justice is unacceptable in our legal system. 'The Attorney General views this matter seriously as one that involves constitutional and institutional importance,' it said in a statement. The AGC emphasised that contempt proceedings will be pursued to uphold the rule of law, preserve the integrity of judicial processes as well as protect the judiciary from unfounded allegations and undue public pressure. The statement was issued in response to recent media reports and a statement by Messrs Shafee & Co today regarding the use of the term 'Nazi Germany' during a press conference held outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday (May 29). Muhammad Shafee reportedly responded to a journalist's question regarding a court order that temporarily stayed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's judicial review proceedings concerning the existence of an additional document that would allow him to serve the remaining six years of his prison sentence under house arrest.
The Star
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
AGC to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Muhammad Shafee
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Hj Abd Razak, his lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah will hold a Press Conference.' At Putrajaya Palace of Justice—Low Boon Tat / The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) will initiate contempt of court proceedings against prominent lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah over his public remarks likening proceedings at the Kuala Lumpur High Court to a "Nazi Germany-style hearing". It said the remarks, made in the context of an ongoing case, constituted a serious and improper attack on the dignity, authority and independence of the judiciary. "While lawyers are entitled to challenge judicial decisions through proper legal channels, making public statements that tarnish the image of the court or undermine public confidence in the administration of justice is unacceptable in our legal system. "The Attorney General views this matter seriously as one that involves constitutional and institutional importance," it said in a statement on Friday (May 30). The AGC emphasised that contempt proceedings will be pursued to uphold the rule of law, preserve the integrity of judicial processes as well as protect the judiciary from unfounded allegations and undue public pressure. The statement was issued in response to recent media reports and a statement by Messrs Shafee & Co on Friday regarding the use of the term "Nazi Germany" during a press conference held outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Thursday (May 29). Muhammad Shafee was responding to a question regarding a court order that temporarily stayed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's judicial review proceedings concerning the existence of an additional document that would allow him to serve the remaining six years of his prison sentence under house arrest. – Bernama
