[UPDATED] Najib, Irwan’s RM6.6 bil CBT case vacated to May

KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and ex-treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah’s trial involving six criminal breach of trust charges totalling RM6.6 billion has been postponed to May.  

In applying for the trial’s adjournment today, deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi told the high court here that the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had received a representation letter from Irwan’s lawyers. 

“The attorney-general (Tan Sri Idrus Harun) has instructed the prosecution to apply for a trial postponement while he deliberates (the representation letter),” he said.

Najib’s defence counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, then said that a representation letter would also be sent on the former prime minister’s behalf as there are ongoing discussions involving the funds related to International Petroleum Investment Company (Ipic) under Najib and Irwan’s charges. 

“We have been informed that there are settlement discussions between the government and Ipic involving the same funds which are outlined in this case.  

“We request that the trial be resumed on either May 29 or 31. If the developments we are expecting to happen take place, then maybe this case will not have to proceed,” Shafee said.  

Noting that his client’s previous representation letter from about two years ago was rejected by the AGC, he said that the new representation letter, which should be sent in the coming week, will consider “recent developments”.  

He also asserted that the court should allow sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) cases involving Najib to be concluded first before the trial today continues as there are “overlaps” of many issues.  

Lawyer Datuk K. Kumaraendran, representing Irwan, informed the court that the prosecution has yet to reply to his client’s previous representation letter, which was sent on February 18, 2020.  

He also said that the defence’s application for several documents from the prosecution has gone ignored as the documents in question have yet to be delivered.   

Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin then ruled for the trial to be resumed on March 29.  

In February, it was reported that Ipic and Aabar Investments PJS (Aabar PJS) have agreed to pay US$1.8 billion (RM8.1 billion) to the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MoF Inc) and 1MDB.  

This came after a London judge in November gave the go-ahead to Malaysia to press its case against Abu Dhabi’s state-owned Ipic and Aabar PJS for their role in the 1MDB financial scandal.  

In March last year, the high court struck out Najib and Irwan’s bid to appeal for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal in relation to the charges involving Ipic funds, with the judge dismissing the matter after taking into account the prosecution is ready for the trial.  

On October 24, 2018, Najib and Irwan pleaded not guilty to six charges of criminal breach of trust amounting to RM6.6 billion in government funds involving payments to the International Petroleum Investment Company. 

Najib and Irwan were jointly accused of committing all the offences at the Finance Ministry Complex, Putrajaya between December 21, 2016, and December 18, 2017. 

They were charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the same code, which provides for a maximum of 20 years jail and whipping as well as fine upon conviction. – The Vibes, April 3, 2023