I have this hotshot lawyer, says Najib pointing to Shafee

Former premier Najib Abdul Razak has indicated that his fate with regard to his court case is in good hands.

“I have this hotshot lawyer,” he replied with a smile and pointed to his defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah when asked if he was confident of being accorded a fair hearing.

Shafee became embroiled in a scandal in 2017 when Sarawak Report alleged that Najib had paid him RM9.5 million.

This fuelled speculations of a conspiracy against Pakatan Harapan de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim in relation to his Sodomy II conviction.

This is due to the Najib administration's surprise move on July 22, 2013 to recruit Shafee to lead the prosecution team at the Court of Appeal instead of the conventional practice of relying on public prosecutors.

The Court of Appeal on March 7, 2014, overturned the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision which acquitted Anwar, sentencing him to five years in prison.

The Federal Court on Feb 10, 2015 upheld the conviction of sodomising his former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

However, Shafee later described Sarawak Report's allegation as “nonsense”.

Meanwhile, Najib who was speaking to reporters after being released from the High Court holding room in Kuala Lumpur, urged his supporters to remain calm.

“I was moved by their presence (at court) to provide me with moral support. I thank them, and hopefully, Allah will answer my prayers (to be acquitted),” he said.

The former premier has claimed trial to three counts of criminal breach of trust and one on abuse of power.

The charges are related to MACC's investigation into the SRC International issue.

Earlier, attorney-general Tommy Thomas, who is leading the prosecution, guaranteedthat Najib would be given a fair trial.

In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini last week, the former premier said his case would be a test for the nation as well. - Mkini