Najib has exhausted all avenues of appeal, says prosecution

 

V Sithambaram says the Federal Court’s ruling confirms that the charges against former prime minister Najib Razak were legally sound and not politically motivated.

PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Najib Razak has exhausted all avenues of appeal in his SRC International corruption case, says ad hoc prosecutor V Sithambaram.

At a press conference, Sithambaram said he hoped that the Federal Court’s dismissal of Najib’s bid to review his conviction and sentence would bring closure to the case.

“The Federal Court’s decision is also a vindication that the charges against Najib are legally sound and not politically charged.

Ads by Kiosked

“To politicians and other likely offenders, this prosecution has shown that no man in this land is above the law. This successful prosecution must send a chilling message to all would-be offenders that the law will catch up to you,” he said.

He urged all parties to accept the apex court’s majority decision.

Earlier, Justices Vernon Ong, Rhodzariah Bujang, Nordin Hassan and Abu Bakar Jais dismissed the former prime minister’s motion.

Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Rahman Sebli, who chaired the panel hearing the application, was the sole dissenting judge.

As a result of the decision, the former Pekan MP will serve out the remainder of his 12-year prison term, unless he secures a royal pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

On July 28, 2020, Najib was convicted by Justice Nazlan Ghazali, then a High Court judge, for abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust (CBT) over SRC funds amounting to RM42 million.

Ads by Kiosked

He was sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million.

His appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed on Dec 8, 2021.

Najib began his 12-year prison term on Aug 23, 2022, immediately after the Federal Court upheld the original conviction and sentence. - FMT