Charges against Najib, Irwan ‘foolish’, says Shafee

Christopher Rabin Ravin Palanisamy Christopher Rabin, Ravin Palanisamy Updated 7 years ago · Published on 25 Oct 2018 2:15PM · 12 Comments

Shafee Abdullah says today's chargers are based on decisions made to divert funds to avoid defaulting on payments. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, October 25, 2018.

PROMINENT lawyer Shafee Abdullah said today’s six new charges against his clients – former prime minister Najib Razak and former treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah – were “foolish” and baseless.

Earlier today, Najib and Irwan were slapped with six counts of criminal breach of trust involving more than RM6.63 billion.

Shafee said the charges “called into question executive decision-making process of the minister of finance and the treasury secretary-general of the Finance Ministry” and should not be the basis for penalising his clients.

“I’m looking forward to the trial. The Attorney-General’s Chambers drafted these charges and they are a very foolish six charges,” he said.

Of the six charges, Shafee said four were related to Abu Dhabi-owned International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) and two to the gas pipeline and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) infrastructure projects.

He said today’s chargers were based on decisions made to divert funds to pay for other purposes to avoid defaulting on payments.

“Our client’s position is simple: if you have a deadline that will cost a lot of money if not met, it will trigger events of default, national default that will affect the nation, not like a company default,” said Shafee.

Shafee said the defence team also consented to the case being heard at the High Court.

Media personnel converging around lawyer Shafee Abdullah at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, October 25, 2018.

“The High Court has more qualified persons. We are not saying the sessions courts are not qualified, but these are very serious cases, especially involving politicians. The more junior you are, the more susceptible you are to prejudice.” 

Shafee said that the court stood down this morning  after the defence complained of only receiving the charge sheet five minutes before trial, which prosecutors said was only finalised this morning.

“But it’s not true, because the charge sheet said it was filed at 6.30pm. Even with this, they are not being honest,” he said of the prosecuting team.

Today’s six charges have increased the total charges against Najib to 38.

The former finance minister was previously charged with 32 counts of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and misuse of power involving RM2.6 billion allegedly from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) – which he claimed was a donation from Saudi Arabia – and another RM42 million from a former 1MDB subsidiary, SRC International. – October 25, 2018.

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Comments

  • For a once respected and highly acclaimed lawyer, Shafee, to say that the charges against Irwan and Najib is foolish is not only irresponsible but it also questions his integrity (as a lawyer).
    After all, he too has been charged in court for corruption.

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

    • ohh.. really.. ahahhhaa.. eloklah tu, penyangak bela penyangak.. mampuss..

      Posted 7 years ago by Siti Fatimah · Reply

  • He is pointing 3 fingers to himself.

    Posted 7 years ago by Leng Kapri As Saribasi · Reply

  • Your turn is around the corner. We will be baying for very very tight punishment for you being a crooked lawyer.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Foolish loyar. You simply cannot touch accounts that dont belong to you. Even if you want to, you must need authorizarion. Herein lies the problem. You illehally used the state funds to cover up a scandalous hole caused by premeditated fraud because. You hold an office of fiduciary trust on behalf of the govt and the people of Malaysia. But you treated these monies like makbapak hang punya piggybanks. Mampuslah.

    Posted 7 years ago by ASK LAZIE · Reply

    • Itu lawyer cerdik pandai panggil Pecah Amanah

      Posted 7 years ago by ASK LAZIE · Reply

    • Well said. Even my money is not my wife's money and vice versa. Fools.

      Posted 7 years ago by Han Kiong Tew · Reply

  • The police shouldn't allow this crooked lawyer to have a press conference outside the courts.

    Posted 7 years ago by CY W · Reply

  • Defaults and defaults awaiting to be avoided, no wonder he was called the world worst finance minister.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Wriggle & squirm all you want, you won't get off the hook!

    Posted 7 years ago by Antares Maitreya · Reply

  • Your days are numbered Shafee...Thangavelooo....GOD IS GREAT.....you will receive what you deserve...WE MALAYSIANS PRAY DAILY FOR THAT...you can run....you can't hide from THE GOD ALMIGHTY....

    Posted 7 years ago by Hantoo Blacklord · Reply

  • It is not wise of arrogant "hot shot" to belittle CBT charges which are serious offences that carry grave consequences.

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply