[UPDATED] Najib arrives at Kajang prison, to serve 12-year sentence

KAJANG – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrived at the Kajang prison, here, to serve his 12-year sentence following the Federal Court’s decision to affirm his conviction, this evening.

The police convoy transporting the Pekan MP arrived at the facility at 6.10pm having left the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya at 5.30pm.

In addition to his 12-year sentence, the Federal Court also upheld the RM210 million fine imposed by the high court on Najib.

A five-member bench chaired by chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said the findings of the high court were correct and the defence failed to raise reasonable doubt. 

Tengku Maimun said Najib would have to serve his sentence immediately.

Najib was sentenced to prison and a fine of RM210 million after he was convicted on seven charges brought against him for abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust over SRC International funds amounting to RM42 million.

About 30 civilians and bystanders were also seen gathered outside the prison but were later ordered to disperse by police.  

Several Muda leaders were also seen around the prison compound after Najib’s arrival.

Najib’s lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik had earlier informed the court that the defence wished to file a stay of execution pending a review of the decision.

“There is no provision under the law for stay (of execution) pending review,” Tengku Maimun replied.

In delivering the court’s decision, Tengku Maimun also said the court had accorded Hisyam every opportunity during the hearing to make fresh submissions after his bid for adjournment was rejected, but he refused.

On the high court’s findings, she said judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali had not committed any errors in his decision to convict Najib.

Other members of the bench were chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and the Federal Court’s Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan, Datuk Mary Lim Thiam Suan and Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah. – The Vibes, August 23, 2022