THE Federal Court will hear Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application for leave to revive his RM1.9 million civil suit against former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas on Nov 26, after allowing the former prime minister to be brought to court for the proceedings.
A three-member panel chaired by Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Hashim Hamzah today allowed an application by Najib’s lawyer, Bala Ravi, for prison authorities to produce him before the court.
The court issued an order to produce Najib for the hearing of his leave application and, if permission is granted, the substantive appeal.
The other judges on the panel were Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali and Datuk Azmi Ariffin.
Najib filed the suit on Oct 22, 2021, alleging that Thomas had abused his power and acted with malicious intent in prosecuting him in cases linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and International Petroleum Investment Company.
He is seeking a declaration that Thomas committed the tort of misconduct in public office and RM1.9 million in special damages, including expenses incurred in appointing an audit team to review documents and preparing his defence in the criminal proceedings.
The High Court struck out the suit on Nov 25, 2022, without a full trial. The Court of Appeal later dismissed Najib’s appeal, agreeing that the civil action was premature because the criminal case had not yet commenced when the suit was filed.
Najib filed a notice of motion on Feb 10 seeking to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision at the Federal Court. His application raises three legal questions for determination by the apex court.
Thomas served as attorney-general from June 4, 2018, to Feb 28, 2020. - October 28, 2026
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