How am I supposed to pay my lawyers if I’m bankrupt, asks Najib

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 10 Apr 2021 4:01PM · 6 Comments

Najib Razak asks how he is expected to pay his lawyers, who are also implicated in court cases, if he is bankrupt. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, April 10, 2021.

FORMER prime minister Najib Razak has taken to Facebook to criticise the Inland Revenue Board’s (IRB’s) move to serve him a bankruptcy notice.

“How am I supposed to pay my lawyer, (if I am bankrupt),” he says in the post.

Najib’s SRC International appeal is currently being heard at the Court of Appeal while his 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption trial is still being heard at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

The IRB filed the bankruptcy notice against Najib for failing to pay RM1.69 billion in additional tax arrears for 2011 to 2017, as well as 5% for each year amounting to RM45.9 million from the date of the summary judgment, and costs.

Najib added that the IRB decision cannot be challenged in court.

“The government is using specific inland revenue laws that cannot be challenged in court. I have also not been given an opportunity to plead this case before the Income Tax Commissioner.”

The government is also seeking to forfeit over RM10 million worth of assets from Najib and his family, which comprise 263 handbags and 40 watches seized in May 2018.

“If it is a political contribution, it is not taxable. If it is considered personal income from abroad, this has been tax-exempt since 2004.

“If it is from a robbery, are the profits from robbery also taxable?” he asked.

Najib’s lawyer Shafee Abdullah has also been implicated and is facing charges of money laundering.

“If this is not bad, two of my defence lawyers are facing charges under the money laundering act in relation to the legal fees I paid them.

“Now, they not only have to defend me, but also themselves,” he said.

Shafee has said that the bankruptcy notice is “a clear abuse of process and intimidation” and a ploy by some to disrupt Najib’s place within Umno.

The lawyer added that they were seeking a stay against the RM1.69 billion summary judgement order given to LHDN. The case is expected to be heard at the High Court in June. – April 10, 2021.

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Comments

  • That is your problem.
    For a start, you could repatriate the hundreds of millions that you and your family have stashed overseas in Private Bank accounts.

    Posted 3 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • KARMA I remember paying high taxes during najib tenure as PM.

    Posted 3 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply

  • Then they and you should sit in the cell together to count and recount the bars

    Posted 3 years ago by The Rover · Reply

  • Bring back your money from overseas...

    Posted 3 years ago by Against Corruption · Reply

  • We long to see justice being done, and want to stop wondering how you are able to hire expensive lawyers to sustain such long judiciary process.

    Posted 3 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • For all the people whom you have "helped", perhaps they will help you now!

    Posted 3 years ago by Raymond Low · Reply