New Straits Times

Najib to be charged today

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission says the former prime minister is looking at additional charges in relation to the case involving SRC Internatio­nal Sdn Bhd.

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FORMER prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be charged under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 at the Kuala Lumpur court complex today.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said the charge was related to SRC Internatio­nal Sdn Bhd.

“The charge is made after we obtained the approval of the Attorney-General,” said MACC.

The anti-graft agency said it had called Najib to be present at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy in Bukit Tunku, Jalan Duta, yesterday afternoon.

He was called in to assist in investigat­ion into SRC Internatio­nal.

“He arrived at 5pm and had his statement recorded for 45 minutes,” it said.

On July 4, Najib was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of abuse of power for alleged gratificat­ion involving dealings with SRC Internatio­nal since 2011.

He was alleged to have misappropr­iated RM27 million, RM5 million and RM10 million belonging to SRC Internatio­nal when he acted as its adviser.

The offence falls under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries maximum 20 years’ imprisonme­nt and caning, upon conviction.

He was also charged with using his position for a RM42 million payout to himself when he took part or was involved in making the decision to provide government guarantees for a RM4 billion loan from the Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP).

The charge under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act carries a sentence of up to 20 years in jail, or a fine of RM10,000, or five times the bribe amount, whichever is higher.

Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, who led the prosecutio­n team, asked for the trial to be conducted in English.

Najib was represente­d by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

His case was to be heard before High Court judge Mohd Sofian Abd Razak, but there was some controvers­y when it was learnt that the judge was the younger brother of Pahang state executive council member and Benta Umno assemblyma­n Datuk Seri Mohd Soffi Abd Razak.

Sofian was later transferre­d to the civil court and Najib’s case was placed under judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.

Sofian’s transfer order was signed by Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim, but her office was quick to refute claims that it was done because of Sofian’s relationsh­ip with an Umno leader, adding that it was a “normal procedure”.

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 ?? HAKIM ZUBIR PIC BY LUQMAN ?? Datuk Seri Najib Razak arriving at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
HAKIM ZUBIR PIC BY LUQMAN Datuk Seri Najib Razak arriving at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

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