FORMER prime minister Najib Razak’s trial today was among the first that has “borne fruit” from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) task force, said Attorney-General Tommy Thomas.
“This has arisen from MACC investigation papers that were submitted to my office three weeks ago,” Thomas said at a press conference after the trial today.
He said after working on the case for the past three weeks, he and his 12-man team finally had enough proof to bring the case to court.
“We reached the conclusion that there was strong prima facie for the case. We accept the burden on us,” Thomas said.
The nation’s top lawyer also said more 1MDB related cases would be pursued this year.
“(There will be more) 1MDB (cases) down the road. You can expect the MACC to investigate more,” Thomas said.
He also added that it was “too premature” to fix the trial dates for next year as it was only the first day of trial.
Justice Sofian Abd Razak set bail at RM1 million, and ordered Najib to surrender his diplomatic passports.
Sofian ordered that Najib pay half the bail amount today, and the rest by Monday.
The judge also said case management would be on August 8 but set the tentative trial dates beginning on February 18 next year for a total of 19 days.
Meanwhile, Thomas clarified that the AGC was not involved with Najib’s arrest but the power to charge the former PM was fully on him.
He also said that the task force in charge of 1MDB did not usurp his power when they announced Najib’s arrest.
Najib today claimed trial at the sessions court to three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of using his position for gratification, under separate acts.
The four charges, under the Penal Code and MACC Act, were heard before sessions court judge Zainal Abidin Kamaruddin.
All the charges carry a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine.
The high court then set bail at RM1 million, and ordered Najib to surrender his diplomatic passports.
The first charge, under the MACC Act, states that Najib had used his position as prime minister and finance minister to receive gratification totalling RM42 million between August 17, 2011, and February 2012.
The offences were allegedly committed at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya.
The charge states that Najib was involved in “the decision on behalf of the Malaysian government to give guarantees for loans totalling RM4 billion from Retirement Fund Inc to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former 1MDB subsidiary.
According to a money trail uncovered by investigators, funds misappropriated from SRC International allegedly flowed into Najib’s bank accounts.
The three other charges are under Section 409 of the Penal Code. They carry a jail term, fine and whipping upon conviction.
The first charge states that between December 24 and 29, Najib, in his capacity as prime minister and finance minister, allegedly received RM27 million from SRC International.
The second and third charges stated that he received RM4 million and RM10 million on the same dates, from the same firm.
The three offences were allegedly committed at an Ambank branch in Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur. – July 4, 2018.
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