Desperate move to charge Najib, says lawyer

Alfian Z.M. Tahir Alfian Z.M. Tahir Updated 7 years ago · Published on 20 Sep 2018 7:05PM · 6 Comments

Najib Razak's lawyer Shafee Abdullah says the prosecution's case against his client is weak. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September, 2018.

THE authorities are just desperate to bring charges in relation to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and they are weak, says Najib Razak’s lawyer Shafee Abdullah.

The prominent lawyer said that the prosecution had exposed its weakness when it asked the judge to prohibit Najib from speaking publicly about the case.

“The authorities are desperate to bring up the charges. The gag order to stop Najib from speaking about the case shows that it is another desperate attempt on the prosecution’s part.

“The case is not built on a solid ground and the fact that they tried to block Datuk Seri from speaking openly (shows this),” Shafee told reporters after the former prime minister was charged at the sessions court in Kuala Lumpur earlier today with 25 counts of corruption linked to the 1MDB scandal.

At the centre of the case is the US$651 million (RM2.6 billion) transferred into Najib’s personal account which he claims was a “donation” from Saudi royalty.

Shafee told the gathered press that Najib had solid evidence that he had returned 90% of the donation back to the rightful owner.

The former prime minister says he is not a thief and maintains that he has returned much of the money which he claims was donated by Saudi Royalty. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September, 2018.

He ridiculed the prosecution saying that the team led by former judge Gopal Sri Ram, was not thinking well when prosecuting the case.

“The subject matter was the US$651 million, the prosecution team did not realise that this money was transferred back to the original account.

“This is a charge fulfilled just to meet the election manifesto and it was not well thought (out) by the team. Right after the election, Najib returned the money, 90% of it. This is not how a thief behaves.

“So Najib’s claim that the money was donated has got support,” Shafee said.

Najib told the press that he is not a thief after posting bail.

“The RM2.6 billion issue was used to the maximum to tarnish my name.

“This court case will give me the chance to clear my name now,” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur court complex lobby today. – September, 2018.

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Comments

  • Ok guys, let's withdraw the charges since they're weak.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ali Khan · Reply

  • You are being charged too. Save yourself!

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Corrupted mamak

    Posted 7 years ago by HI HI · Reply

  • Let the lawyers fight it out in court and we can watch the final episode. Very interesting. Wonder what the shaft fees going to be this time. RM9mil, 90mil or 900mil??

    Posted 7 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • Wait for the evidence in court. Najib appears confident of his defence, so it will be interesting how the case pans out. 1MDB and the Saudi link to the RM2.6 billion may turn out to be 2 different things? It depends on the proof of things..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • The goat is desperately trying to shape public opinion with a well rehearsed script shared with the accused...reveals his inner insecurity over the strength of the charges and the forces arraigned against the goat

    Posted 7 years ago by The Rover · Reply