JUDGE IN NAJIB'S CASE TRANSFERRED TO CIVIL COURT

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s case involving criminal breach of trust and abuse of power will be heard before a new proceedings judge next month.

Sources close to the judiciary said Judge Datuk Mohd Sofian Razak, who recorded Najib’s plea, would be transferred to a new civil court effective Aug 1.

“It is routine that judges are transferred to another court.”

It was reported that Sofian was the brother of Pahang Umno executive member Datuk Seri Mohd Sofi Razak. Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali will replace him at High Court 3.

Another source confirmed the matter, saying that Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim had signed the transfer letter earlier this week.

“However, I cannot confirm whether it (the transfer order) was related to Najib’s case.”

An attempt by the New Straits Times to meet Sofian in chambers was futile.

Malaysian Bar president George Varughese said Sofian should recuse himself (from hearing Najib’s case) in the interest of justice, after the media reported that he was the younger brother of an Umno leader in Pahang.

“The Bar believes that such a disclosure was necessary to preserve the integrity of the proceedings before him and to avoid any real danger of bias.

“The judge’s failure to do so has raised serious questions about the propriety of him continuing to preside over the case.”

On July 4, Najib, who is Pekan member of parliament, claimed trial to three counts of criminal breach of trust and one charge of abuse of power involving RM42 million linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Sofian set bail at RM1 million with two sureties and ordered Najib to surrender his passports to the court.

The case management has been fixed for Aug 8.