THE attacks on the five federal court judges hearing former prime minister Najib Razak’s final SRC International Sdn Bhd appeal must be stopped immediately, Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu said today. 

Najib is appealing his July 28, 2020, conviction handed down by the Kuala Lumpur High Court for criminal breach of trust, money laundering, and abuse of power in embezzling SRC International funds.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million. 

In a statement posted on his Facebook account, Faizal said the attacks are not only unethical, but were done to deliberately interfere and undermine the independence of the judiciary.

He said personal attacks towards judges and their family members create an intimidating situation that threatens the rule of law. 

“The judiciary should serve as the last bastion of justice,” the Tambun MP added. 

He said every Malaysian therefore has a responsibility to ensure that the integrity of the judiciary is always protected. 

“The attacks on social media cast negative perceptions and tarnish the good name of the country,” Faizal said as he appealed for the judiciary to be given space and time to ensure justice and truth prevail. 

Threats against Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat were detected on social media platforms after the five-man bench rejected Najib’s application to adduce new evidence in his final appeal. The bench also rejected an application for a postponement of the hearing. 

Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate any elements of threats against Maimun. 

Najib is now at his last lap of appeal at the Federal Court to quash his guilty verdict on the SRC International case. 

Last year, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s guilty verdict on Najib. 

Maimun, who was promoted to chief justice in 2019, leads the panel of five hearing the appeal. – August 20, 2022.