PUTRAJAYA, Aug 19(ABC): Prosecutors on Friday urged Malaysia’s highest court to uphold former prime minister Najib Razak’s 12-year jail sentence for corruption as they wrapped up their case, saying his “dishonesty has been established”. On the second day of hearings at the Federal Court, the prosecutors pressed on with their arguments despite Najib’s claim that he was not being given a fair trial.
Najib, 69, has mounted a high-stakes final appeal, which could see him imprisoned, or acquitted and attempting a return to power. At the start of Friday’s hearing, Najib’s lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik told the court that the former leader had discharged part of his defence team — the latest development in a week marked by dramatic twists. Hisyam himself had asked to be discharged from the case on Thursday, but was rejected. Two days earlier, the court also dismissed his appeal for a three- to four-month adjournment to help him prepare for the case as he had been recently appointed.
Chief Justice Maimun Tuan Mat in all three instances ordered the case to proceed, prompting Najib to complain he was not being given a fair trial. Maimun has said that any delays in the proceedings were a waste of public funds, and that “justice delayed is justice denied to others”. Najib and his ruling party were voted out in 2018 following allegations of their involvement in a multibillion-dollar financial scandal at state fund 1MDB. He and his associates were accused of stealing billions of dollars from the country’s investment vehicle and spending it on everything from high-end real estate to pricey art.
Following a lengthy High Court trial, Najib was found guilty of abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust over the transfer of 42 million ringgit ($10.1 million) from former 1MDB unit SRC International to his personal bank account. He was sentenced to 12 years in jail in July 2020, though he has not been sent to prison while the appeals process plays out. An appellate court last December rejected his appeal, prompting him to mount a final challenge before the Federal Court.