Still no decision on Najib’s representation to drop three charges, High Court hears

KUALA LUMPUR: There is still no decision on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s representation to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to drop his three other money laundering charges involving SRC International Sdn Bhd funds amounting to RM27mil, the High Court heard.

According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul, the status quo on the representation remains.

“The position is still the same. I don’t foresee any decision in the next few months,” he told Justice K. Muniandy during case management here on Wednesday.

DPP Mohd Ashrof then sought a new case management date.

“In the event that I do have further developments, I can inform the court,” he added.

Meanwhile, Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah sought for the court to vacate the hearing dates in September as the defence has a full schedule in August.

He said this is due to SRC International’s civil lawsuit against Najib and former 1MDB CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil.

Muhammad Shafee was referring to a legal action by SRC against Najib and Nik Faisal, alleging breach of trust, abuse of power, misappropriating the company’s funds and personally benefiting from it.

The company is demanding that Najib pay back the US$1.18bill in losses that it has suffered.

“We have moved the civil case, which has somehow been given priority. The learned judge is pushing to finish the case so my client will be tied up in that court,” Muhammad Shafee.

Justice Muniandy then vacated the September hearing dates and fixed April 21 – 25 and May 19 – 23 next year for hearing dates in the case.

He also fixed Feb 26 for case management.

On Feb 3, 2019, the former prime minister claimed trial to three charges of money laundering by accepting proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM27mil through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, AmBank Group Building in Jalan Raja Chulan here on July 8, 2014, under Section 4 (1) (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.

He faces a maximum fine of RM5mil or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, if convicted.

The former Pekan MP is currently serving a 12-year term in Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42mil in the SRC International funds case.

Najib filed a petition for a royal pardon on Sept 2, 2022, and on Jan 29, the Pardons Board reduced his jail term from 12 years to six years and the fine was cut to RM50mil from RM210mil.