NAJIB Razak’s application to review the Federal Court ruling that upheld his conviction and sentencing in the SRC International case will be decided by the end of March, said Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli. 

Abdul Rahman, who is leading the five-man bench, said the decision will not be later than March 31. 

“We are not in a position to decide today (decision of review). It will be decided later. 

“All parties will be notified,” he said at the Federal Court in Putrajaya today.  

The Federal Court is hearing Najib’s application to review the Federal Court’s dismissal of his appeal against his conviction and sentence for corruption. 

Najib last year filed a motion to review the SRC ruling on the grounds that the court had breached the principles of natural justice, including his right to fair trial and to counsel.  

He is seeking to overturn his guilty verdict as well as his 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine for stealing RM42 million of SRC International’s money.

Lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said that justice had not been done as his client was not heard during the SRC appeal trial. 

“Najib is not to be blamed at all. The final nail in his coffin was not allowing for an adjournment for the lawyers (Hisyam Teh Poh Teik) to prepare for the case.  

“This court (Federal Court review) is here to rectify and remedy the decision of the Federal Court.  

“The public must view that this court is doing justice (for Najib).” 

In the final appeal, Najib had appointed Hisyam as his lead counsel, who sought an adjournment to better prepare for the case.  

The court, however, denied the adjournment, after which Hisyam had applied to dismiss himself from representing Najib. This too was rejected by the court.  

Shafee said the only way this court could make an assessment (decision on Najib’s case) was if the previous courts had considered the 94 grounds of appeal.  

“The reasoning (grounds of appeal) will provide and show whether the process of scrutiny and clarity, which was required (by the Federal Court) was available.” 

Shafee said the Federal Court had the inherent role to prevent abuse of justice but failed to consider the grounds of appeal raised by Najib’s counsel.  

On April 25 last year, Najib had submitted 94 grounds in his appeal petition on why he should be acquitted.  

“The final judgement has caused grave injustice to him because he (Najib) was never heard at all.  

“There was also the abuse of the court process. No fault lies with him.  

“Ninety-nine percent of the public would also appreciate that Najib and his lawyers were not heard,” he said. – February 28, 2023.