THE prosecution for SRC International trial has demanded that Najib Razak apologise for Facebook post where he commented on the RM3.3 million racked up on his credit card in 2014.

The former prime minister commented on a testimony by an AmBank official on Monday, who provided evidence that a credit card under Najib’s name was used on August 8 in De Grisogono, a Swiss luxury jeweller.

The purchase amounted to €750,000 or RM3.3 million in Italy.

Najib said he bought gifts for a senior member of an unnamed royal and her entourage.

“Their family and entourage were with us in our family’s visit to Italy then,” he said.

Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, speaking before SRC International presiding judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali this morning, sought a direction by the court that Najib end such postings.

“The first principle that is at issue is the doctrine of sub judice. It applies in Malaysia, notwithstanding whether there is a jury or not.

“Secondly, the accused must be treated equally like others. He cannot be treated like a former prime minister, who thinks he has a political audience.

“Today, there are 200 DPPs (deputy public prosecutors) who are appearing at different courts, with 200 accused persons. And in each case, the accused is not allowed to do Facebook postings, where he puts forward his version of his defence. That’s now how it works.

“It’s the prosecution who puts forth his version (of the case). The burden is on us. Once the defence is called, he can then put forward his version, in the court of law, protected by privilege.

“This practice must cease. I request my lord to direct the accused to understand what I have just said. What we seek is an unconditional apology for what he has done and secondly, an undertaking by the accused that this conduct would not be repeated,” said Thomas.

Defence counsel Harvinderjit Singh then requested the court to stand down as he conferred with Najib on the matter.

Following that, Harvinderjit requested that the defence respond after lunch as lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah was at another court.

Thomas then told the court that he believes Najib had made the posting without consulting his lawyers and that what was sought was a “personal apology”.

However, he added he was amiable with it being addressed later, as long as it is dealt with by today.

The hearing then continue with the 50th witness, former AmBank group managing director Cheah Tek Kuang called to the stand. – July 18, 2019.