They were going to charge me and Najib together, says Shafee

Bede Hong Bede Hong Updated 7 years ago · Published on 13 Sep 2018 5:21PM · 5 Comments

Prominent lawyer Shafee Abdullah has pleaded not guilty to four counts of money laundering and tax offences. He says authorities had rushed to charge him, even before completing their investigations. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, September 13, 2018.
PROMINENT lawyer Shafee Abdullah who was today charged with four counts of money laundering and tax offences relating to a RM9.5 million payment he received four years ago, claimed that the prosecution had intended to charge Najib Razak as well for the same offence.

Shafee is accused of receiving RM9.5 million from Najib, believed to be illegally obtained from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

“I heard rumours they wanted to charge Datuk Seri Najib and me together for the RM9.5 million (allegation of money laundering), so that it is a joint trial,” Shafee told reporters at the Jalan Duta court complex in Kuala Lumpur today.

“I heard rumours. You know, in Malaysia, rumours are normally true.

“They wanted to do that (so that) I cannot be a counsel to defend him (Najib) and defend myself. But that will not work because we have our own strategy if it ever comes to that.”

The Umno lawyer was today charged at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court with money laundering and tax offences relating to the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) 2001.

He pleaded not guilty.

Shafee said the prosecution had rushed their case by not allowing the investigators to complete their investigations.

“I must tell you something quite shocking. Datuk Seri Najib was asked to appear today in MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) to give a statement about the RM9.5 million. He is the only other witness who can corroborate or deny my claims because he is the one who gave it to me.

“I was brought today without the benefit of Datuk Seri Najib’s statement because (it) was cancelled. MACC said they will think of another day.

“What does it mean? It means that the investigation has not been completed. You are not bothered to listen to what Datuk Seri Najib is going to say, whether he says yes, ‘I’ve seen this document, purportedly from Shafee. Or yes, this is his signature’.

“To either support me or otherwise, the investigation is not complete, why do you think they charged me today?”

The lawyer insists that the authorities simply rushed to charge him.

He said a fair investigator and attorney-general would say: “let me look at this”.

Shafee said he will continue to act as Najib’s lawyer as he has not been convicted yet. – September 13, 2018.

 

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Comments

  • All speculation. There was enough evidence to charge even without Najib's latest statement. The CCID recorded two statements much earlier from Najib on tbe same allegations. How do you know that Najib will not be charged for the same offences soon? The fact is if the prosecution objects you may not be allowed to act for Najib any longer. How can you remain objective and impartial as a lawyer when you are an accomplice to the alleged offences together with your client?

    Posted 7 years ago by Gerard Lourdesamy · Reply

  • When a lawyer is convicted and disbarred, boleh jadi loyar buruk tanpa lesen

    Posted 7 years ago by Ju Laza · Reply

  • What a rascal this lawyer is.............

    Posted 7 years ago by Azis Yusoff · Reply

  • Ambassador at large is headed for lawyer at large.

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • Rumors will still be rumors!

    Posted 7 years ago by Teh Ewe Leng · Reply