FORMER prime minister Najib Razak has filed for British barrister Jonathan Laidlaw to represent him in his appeal against his SRC International conviction when it comes before the Federal Court.

The notice of originating motion was filed by law firm Messrs Shafee & Co at Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

One of the reasons for Laidlaw’s application was stated as being that Najib’s SRC appeal at the Federal Court will involve serious, complex and/or novel issues related to several branches of criminal and civil laws, practice and evidence, Najib’s constitutional rights, the conduct of proceedings by the prosecution, the adjudication of criminal cases by a trial court, and the administration of the criminal justice system.

It also stated that Laidlaw possessed special qualifications, experience and expertise not available in Malaysia.

On January 25, Messrs Shafee & Co submitted a six-page letter to the secretariat of Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.

On April 29, the Federal Court fixed 10 days in August to hear Najib’s final bid against his conviction and prison sentence for misappropriation of RM42 million in SRC International funds.

On December 8, 2021, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court conviction of Najib and his 12-year prison sentence, plus a RM210 million fine for criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power.

Judge Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, who presided with Has Zanah Mehat and Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera, unanimously dismissed Najib’s appeal against the High Court decision on July 28, 2020. – Bernama, May 31, 2022.