A-G to add more muscle in high-stakes Najib graft trial

The Malaysian Insight The Malaysian Insight Updated 5 years ago · Published on 30 Jan 2019 7:00AM · 7 Comments

Najib Razak campaigning in the Cameron Highlands by-election last week. The former prime minister's corruption trial begins on February 12. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 30, 2019.

TALK is rife within legal circles that the Attorney-General’s Chambers is on the cusp of adding another senior litigator from the private sector to its team for Najib Razak’s first corruption trial.

Sources told The Malaysian Insight that in addition to Sulaiman Abdullah, another senior lawyer is likely to be tapped to join the team to prosecute the former prime minister for allegedly pilfering RM89 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of scandal-ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

This move by the A-GC to beef up its ranks did not surprise legal experts, given the high expectations of a conviction surrounding the trial.

Not a day has gone by since the 14th general election that the full extent of the 1MDB scandal has been laid bare for the Malaysian public. These revelations have increased the clamour for Najib and his alleged conspirators to be sent behind bars. 

The SRC trial, which begins on February 12, is one of many trials that Najib will face for his alleged role in the scandal.

Former president of the Malaysian Bar Sulaiman was picked by the A-GC to lead the prosecution in the SRC International case.

But lawyers believe that the seasoned courtroom lawyer would need a solid right-hand given the length of the trial and his recent frail health.

The SRC trial is slated to last 43 days. 

Najib faces 10 charges in relation to the RM89 million from SRC International.

He was initially charged on July 4 with three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and one charge under the MACC Act over RM42 million linked to the SRC International case. On August 8, he was slapped with another three charges in relation to the same case.

On Monday, Najib was slapped with another three charges under Section 4(1) of Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act (AMLATFA) 2001.

In the latest charges, he is accused of receiving, via three transactions, proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to RM47 million on July 8, 2014, through his bank account at AmIslamic Bank Bhd.

In total, Najib faces 42 charges, which also involve 1MDB and tampering with the auditor-general’s report on the troubled state fund, as well as for criminal breach of trust involving Abu Dhabi’s International Petroleum Investment Company. – January 30, 2019.

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Comments

  • Ueseless bunch, cannot even get jibby into orange or purple suit. Yet the useless bunch put small time petty thieves in handcuffs et al. AG is a Waste of space

    Posted 5 years ago by Duh Duh · Reply

  • Do whatever you can. We want to see the Crook in orange outfit and behind bars asap. It would be a belated CNY for all.

    Posted 5 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply

  • Don't talk about the amount of time to get the case heard when you are incapable of even following standard operating procedure in getting the biggest crooks dressed in orange garb for their court appearances.
    Please provide a credible excuse for the double standards.

    Posted 5 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Don't talk about the amount of time to get the case heard when you are incapable of even following standard operating procedure in getting the biggest crooks dressed in orange garb for their court appearances.
    Please provide a credible excuse for the double standards.

    Posted 5 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Public perception is that AG and Mahatir are paper tiger. They are afraid of Najib and his goons repelling all the charges and have no answer to tame the lanun if ever there is a mayhem created by his small band of supporters. They do not know how to move in on the lanun and keep on piling up charges hoping that one will stick.. Looks like another waste of effort and AG is seen as a sandiwara in the guise of buying time . Public sentiments and wagering on the Najib outcome are very very disturbing as at this juncture coffee shop talks are that Najib is actually a free man. With his free roaming and condemnation of PH looks like it is an affirmation of his status.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • He should be put behind bars as his crime is non-bailable offence and why is there a double standard. I believe this is what most of the people want to see.

    Posted 5 years ago by Mathew John · Reply

  • Go AG do whats it takes to put this Corrupt ex PM in Jail till he rote. So all his good friends will learn their time will come soon and they to will rote in Jail.

    Posted 5 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply