PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has made clear that he will not interfere in the judiciary’s decision to grant Datuk Seri Najib Razak a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) over money laundering charges linked to SRC International Bhd.
“That is a matter for the judge and the Attorney-General. I do not interfere,” he told reporters briefly after attending Friday prayers at Kampung Seri Aman mosque in Puchong.
The High Court had earlier granted Najib a DNAA over three charges involving RM27 million after prosecutors were unable to provide key documents to the defence, despite the charges being filed as early as 2019.
A DNAA allows the accused to be discharged from the charges without being formally acquitted, meaning the case can be revived at a later date if the prosecution is prepared to proceed.
Presiding Judge K. Muniandy ruled that the prosecution had failed to show readiness for trial, citing outstanding documents that had yet to be retrieved or served. The deputy public prosecutor confirmed that a DNAA would not prejudice the case, as fresh charges could be brought when the evidence is in order.
Najib, the former prime minister and president of UMNO, was charged on 3 February 2019 under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.
The charges relate to RM27 million allegedly received through his AmPrivate Banking accounts on 8 July 2014. A conviction carries a maximum of five years in prison, a fine of up to RM5 million, or both.
Najib remains in Kajang Prison, serving a reduced six-year sentence for his earlier conviction involving RM42 million from SRC International. The Federal Territories Pardons Board halved his original 12-year sentence and reduced his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million in January. - June 20, 2025
