FORMER prime minister Najib Razak’s three money-laundering charges involving RM47 million, which he claimed trial for on Friday, have been transferred to the high court.

Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali said, however, a decision on whether to merge the three charges with other charges over funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd “will be decided later”.

SRC International was a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Nazlan also told the prosecution to provide its list of witnesses and the order they will be called to the stand tomorrow, when trial on the charges involving SRC International kicks off. 

Attorney-General Tommy Thomas today led the prosecution in its application to transfer the three money-laundering charges.

Shafee Abdullah appeared for Najib.

Najib, 65, who is being charged in total with 42 counts of criminal wrongdoing, mostly related to 1MDB, wore a grey suit today and appeared calm as he sat in the dock.

The prosecution is expected to apply for Najib’s seven earlier charges relating to SRC International to be heard with the three additional charges in a joint trial.

Thomas earlier told the court that the cases share “interrelated facts”, and that holding separate proceedings in different “hierarchies” of courts is not in the “interest of justice”.

Shafee said the defence has access to only 26 witness statements provided by the prosecution, and that it has no indication as to which witness the prosecution will call first.

“The choice of witnesses and the order in which we bring them is our providence,” said Thomas, adding that the defence has yet to inform the prosecution of the witnesses it will call first.

“Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t be throwing stones.”

Najib claimed trial before Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Azman Ahmad on Friday to the three counts of money laundering.

He is alleged to have received the RM47 million through three AmPrivate Banking accounts on July 8, 2014.

He was charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the 2001 Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act, which provides for a jail term not exceeding five years, or a maximum fine of RM5 million, or both, upon conviction.

On January 28, Najib claimed trial to the same three charges at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Nazlan gave him a discharge not amounting to an acquittal after allowing an application by the prosecution, led by Thomas, on February 7.

Thomas told the court then that the prosecution did not wish to proceed with the three charges before the high court, and would seek to charge Najib again before the sessions court on procedural grounds. – February 11, 2019.