PUTRAJAYA – The Court of Appeal today dismissed Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application to vacate the date of decision of his appeal against his 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine for misappropriating SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.
The matter was informed via a letter signed by Court of Appeal deputy registrar Mohd Khairi Haron to the former prime minister, his lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, and the prosecution.
“This is to inform that the application by the appellant (Najib) for postponement of the date of decision is not allowed. In this regard, please ensure that all parties are present at the Putrajaya Court of Appeal on the date that has been set,” the letter stated.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul confirmed this.
Najib, through legal firm Messrs Shafee & Co, yesterday applied to the Court of Appeal to vacate the December 8 decision date on his appeal against the conviction and sentence for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds.
According to a document sent to the Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Najib applied to vacate the date of the decision as he would be in Singapore until December 5.
“The appellant (Najib) humbly wishes to apply for the date to be vacated and the date for the decision fixed the following week, from December 13 to December 17, or any other dates the court thinks suitable,” it said.
It said upon his return from Singapore on December 5, Najib would be required to undergo self-quarantine for seven days until December 12, and could only attend court or public gatherings from December 13.
The document stated the prosecution team has been informed of the matter, and it has not raised any objections for the rescheduling of the date.
It said the trial for the money laundering case involving Shafee at the high court is also set to resume on December 8, besides Najib’s 1Malaysia Development Bhd fund trial at the high court.
The document added that the murder trial involving Samirah Muzzaffar, who is represented by Shafee, will resume at the Shah Alam High Court from December 20 until December 23.
Najib, 68, filed an appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision on July 28 last year, which sentenced him to 12 years’ jail and a fine of RM210 million after finding him guilty of seven charges comprising criminal breach of trust, money laundering, and abuse of position involving SRC International funds totalling RM42 billion. – Bernama, November 24, 2021
