ON July 16, Najib Razak’s lawyers informed the Federal Court that a new defence team would be representing their client in his appeal to overturn 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine for  misappropriating the funds of SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)

The Federal Court had earlier agreed to hear his appeal on August 15-26.

Subsequent to this notice, Najib, through his solicitor Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, filed an application to allow a Queen’s Counsel to represent him.  

High Court judge Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid on July 21 dismissed the application.

According to news report, the new team has written to the apex court to adjourn the scheduled 10-day hearing.

The case has used up much of the country’s resources that could have been put to better use.

Under the shadow of the case, the country has seen politicians fighting savagely for control and governance of the country. 

The public, in general, meanwhile, were left very much to fend for themselves. 

When it first started, the case was deemed of national, if not international importance.

But now the people have grown weary of it.

Regardless of the outcome, the rakyat is resigned to the notion that the country is already set on the path of corruption, which, like Covid-19, is set to become endemic in Malaysia.

The people are now more concerned about living their lives and fending for themselves amid these twin endemics and the rising costs of living. 

The people now view all politicians as a liability.

The country desperately needs closure on the case to move forward.

The people hope that sense will prevail in the Federal Court. – July 27, 2022.

*FLK reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.