Apex court dismisses Najib’s appeals in SRC case

The Federal Court today dismissed three appeals by former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak in relation to the latter’s SRC International Sdn Bhd case.

The appeals are related to seven criminal charges levied against Najib for alleged abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering concerning funds amounting to RM42 million belonging to the former 1MDB subsidiary.

The seven-member panel of the Federal Court, led by Chief Justice Richard Malanjum, unanimously rejected the three appeals after finding that the Court of Appeal did not err in rejecting the appeals.

As such, the panel said the Court of Appeal's decision on March 21 dismissing the appeals is maintained. 

Also on the panel were Chief Judge of Malaya Zaharah Ibrahim, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak David Wong Dak Wah, Federal Court judges Ramly Ali, Idrus Harun, Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Nallini Pathmanathan.

Previously, the Court of Appeal dismissed three out of the four appeals by Najib, allowing only the appeal for the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to produce the letter of appointment for prosecutor Sulaiman Abdullah.

Najib was also seeking a gag order on media and the public to prevent discussion of the trial; an order on whether the attorney-general has the constitutional right to withdraw a certificate transferring the case to the High Court; and if the accused is entitled to all witness statements or documents obtained in the course of investigations for the preparation of his defence.

Najib was charged in relation to the SRC International case on July 4 and the first day of the trial commenced on April 3. The case is set to resume at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on April 15.

[More to follow] - Mkini