NAJIB Razak’s lawyer is seeking to adjourn the first criminal trial involving the former prime minister, a move that will upset Malaysians who have been waiting for justice in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
Sources told The Malaysian Insight that Najib’s lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, today wrote to the court seeking an adjournment to the trial which is scheduled to begin on February 12.
Najib faces seven charges in relation to RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.
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.
The move to seek an adjournment is being questioned by several lawyers who pointed out that Najib’s legal team already had at least seven months to prepare the defence.
Several senior lawyers cast doubt on Shafee’s ability to delay the trial further.
“It really depends on the reasons given. It will have to be a stretch of the imagination,” said a lawyer who declined to be named.
Several other lawyers also believed the high court will reject the move by Shafee, given the straight-forward nature of this trial.
If found guilty on the charges related to the SRC International case, Najib could face jail time of between two and 20 years, and potentially whipping and fine.
In total, Najib faces 39 charges that 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 the International Petroleum Investment Company. – January 17, 2019.
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Posted 7 years ago by Kurian Cherian · Reply
Easy la Shafee go do it ! No postponement!
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