KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the conclusion of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s SRC International corruption trial as a victory for the public who voted for good governance and judicial independence in 2018.
“This is a momentous occasion for democracy and the rule of law, and a testament to the will of the people,” Anwar told The Vibes in a brief message.
He said all must respect the decision of the high court, which was based on facts and the law; as well as the rulings from the appellate and now Federal Court that upheld Najib’s conviction.
Earlier, the apex court upheld the high court’s decision that Najib is guilty of all seven charges in the SRC International corruption case and will have to serve his 12-year jail sentence.
The apex court also upheld the conviction for the former prime minister to pay the RM210 million fine imposed by the high court.
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 had failed to raise reasonable doubt.
Anwar said all judges who presided over the case must be commended for their courage.
“Despite the pressures and unprecedented attacks on the bench, the learned judges carried out their obligations based purely on the evidence presented before them,” Anwar said.
He said he hoped the finality of this case would at least give the people who voted against Najib and Barisan Nasional in 2018 the sense that justice has prevailed.
“It is some assurance that despite the Sheraton Move – which saw the return of “court clusters” – ultimately the law will still be upheld as long as we have courageous judges and the rakyat has zero tolerance for corruption.”
On Facebook, Anwar said he welcomed the apex court’s decision, saying that Malaysians had made the right decision in the 2018 general election to reform the country.
“The people’s decision has indeed reformed the judicial institution and (helped) free the country from corruption,” Anwar said.
“The power of the people has allowed the judiciary to make decisions in accordance with the facts and the law, instead of following the political diktats of the authorities that we have experienced for decades.”
Anwar also expressed his relief with the decision and thanked the judges for their bravery in upholding facts, instead of political interference.
He also pointed out that the country’s political climate can be changed by decisions made by the public, especially the nation’s youth. – The Vibes, August 23, 2022
