PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin urged all parties to continue to have faith in the independence of the judiciary, adding that the government respects the court’s ruling in the SRC International case.

“The government respects the court’s verdict and calls on all parties to continue to have faith in the legal system and the judiciary as a free and independent institution,” he said in a statement tonight.

“I understand the feelings and sentiments of friends regarding the verdict made by the court.”

However, he emphasised that the Perikatan Nasional government will always uphold the rule of law.

The government also respects Najib’s rights to appeal against the sentences meted out by the court, Muhyiddin said.

“Let’s give room for the legal process to ensure that justice is served,” he said.

Najib, a former prime minister, was today sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million after being found guilty of abusing his power in receiving RM42 million in funds from SRC International in 2014 and 2015.

Kuala Lumpur high court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali delivered the sentence after three hours of mitigation. The judge also stayed the execution of the jail sentence and fine, pending an appeal by the defence at the Court of Appeal.

The judge has also set an additional RM1 million bail in two sureties to be paid by tomorrow. He also ordered Najib to report to the nearest police station on the 1st and 15th of every month.

Najib, who is also former finance minister, was convicted earlier today of all seven charges – three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money-laundering and one count of abuse of power. – July 28, 2020.