KUALA LUMPUR – "Only because of FOUR differences in wording..."
Thus reads a posting in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s Facebook page, referring to the minor amendments made to the 1MDB audit report which have been the subject of a court case.
The former prime minister said people need to read the details when talking about the audit report tampering case.
The posting came after the Court of Appeal today dismissed an appeal filed by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) against Najib and Arul Kanda Kandasamy, the former CEO of 1MDB.
The decision effectively upholds the earlier acquittal of both individuals in the contentious case.
In a series of posts, Najib highlighted that throughout the trial statements given by the prosecution's witnesses progressively revealed that the amendments were minor, "insignificant and small."
This sentiment was echoed by the former auditor-general Tan Sri Ambrin Buang who had testified that he acted independently without any undue pressure from external parties.
On December 12, 2018, Najib was charged with abusing his power by directing amendments to the 1MDB audit report in February 2016 for personal gain. Arul Kanda faced joint charges but was represented by a separate legal team.
Despite the prosecution, led by the late Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram, presenting sixteen witnesses, evidence from the trial gradually unveiled that the alterations to the audit report were minor and of little consequence, the posting said.
The AGC is mandated to review the merits of an appeal and if a compelling basis for an appeal is identified, the appellant has a ten-day window to file an appeal.
However, in this case, no such grounds were presented, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.
The decision reaffirms the original verdict of the high court and emphasises the challenges of contesting it.
The outcome further solidifies the position that both Najib and Arul Kanda acted within their rights concerning the 1MDB audit report.
Facing several years of legal battles, the conclusion of this case signifies a moment of relief for both individuals.
Najib's legal team expressed gratitude to those who continuously sought truth and justice.
They hoped this verdict would enable Najib and Arul Kanda to continue their lives without the shadow of these allegations over them.
Najib's Facebook posts also urged the public to understand the facts of the case and emphasised the importance of being informed.
The posts pointed at former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas' premature decisions and implored the public to examine the actual differences in the audit report before forming an opinion.
The case's dismissal follows a recent case, where appeals for extended filing periods by the prosecution were denied.
It also highlights the significance of a lack of substantial evidence in this particular case, similar to recent cases involving delayed appeals and acquittals.
As this chapter of Najib's various legal battles draws to a close, the broader implications of the decision remain to be seen. – The Vibes, September 12, 2023
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