PUTRAJAYA – The Court of Appeal hearing for Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s appeal against his conviction and jail sentence for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International Sdn Bhd funds was completed today.
The court heard arguments from both sides over 15 days.
A three-member bench led by justice Datuk Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil reserved its decision for a date yet to be fixed.
The other two judges on the bench were Datuk Has Zanah Mehat and Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera.
“We thank all the parties involved... this hearing was exceptionally long compared with other appeal hearings,” said Karim.
“Since there were many important issues raised by both parties, we need some time to deliberate before delivering our decision on the appeal.”
Earlier, counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, representing former prime minister Najib, and ad hoc prosecutor Datuk V. Sithambaram concluded their submissions.
Najib’s appeal was originally set for 12 days – April 5 to 8, 12 to 15, and 19 to 22 – but upon the defence’s application, the bench set additional hearing days on April 27 and 28, and May 6.
However, the May 6 hearing was postponed to today as a member of the defence team had to undergo quarantine after being in close contact with a number of Covid-19 patients.
Najib is appealing against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision on July 28 last year to sentence him to 12 years’ jail and impose a RM210 million fine after finding him guilty on seven charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and power abuse involving the said RM42 million.
The judge sentenced him to 10 years’ jail on each of the three counts of CBT and three counts of money laundering, and 12 years’ jail and a RM210 million fine in default of five years’ jail for power abuse.
The jail terms are to be served concurrently.
Najib is out on a RM2 million bail with two sureties, pending his appeal. – Bernama, May 18, 2021
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