PUTRAJAYA: Datuk V. Sithambaram said the recent judgement by the Federal Court against Datuk Seri Najib Razak today would bring a final closure to the SRC International Bhd corruption case.
The lead prosecutor stated that the decision by the Apex Court was a vindication that charges against the former prime minister were legally mounted and not politically-motivated.
"There is no greater joy for the prosecution than ensuring that the rule of law has prevailed in this case.
"This case also sends a message to other politicians or likely offenders that no person in this land is above the law.
"I want to stress that this case will send a chilling message to all possible offenders that the law will catch you," he said.
Earlier, the top court dismissed Najib's application to review his conviction for misappropriating SRC International funds.
A five-member bench led by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli today ruled that the former prime minister was not denied the right to a fair trial and therefore his application for leave to initiate the review should be rejected.
The other panelists on the bench were Federal Court judges Datuk Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang, and Datuk Nordin Hassan as well as Court of Appeal judge Datuk Abu Bakar Jais.
Najib, 70, had sought to review the Federal Court's own decision on Aug 23 last year. The court had then affirmed his conviction and sentence, which has seen him jailed 12 years and fined RM210 million.
He was first found guilty by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 28, 2020 of three counts of criminal breach of trust and three counts of money laundering of RM42 million of SRC funds between Dec 26, 2014 and Feb 10, 2015.
He was also convicted of abusing his power with regards to the RM4 billion Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) loan, which the cabinet approved via a government guarantee in two meetings that he chaired in August 2011 and March 2012.
A three-member bench at the Court of Appeal had upheld the conviction and sentence on Dec 8, 2021, and this was further confirmed by a five-member bench led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat on Aug 23.
Najib had then filed for a review of the Federal Court's decision to reject his application to adduce fresh evidence relating to the then High Court judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali. - NST
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