Don’t repeat points already raised, judge tells lawyer in Najib’s SRC appeal

Court of Appeal judge Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil today reminded Najib Razak’s lawyer not to repeat the same points in the hearing of the former prime minister’s appeal in his RM42 million SRC International Sdn Bhd case.

In asking Harvinderjit Singh to summarise his submissions, Karim said many of the points had been dealt with by lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah in his submission.

“You are repeating it again and again. It is better that you use it to relate to the criminal breach of trust (CBT) case against Najib, rather than you bring this thing to us that has been done before by Shafee. Please make us clear.

“Actually you are repeating. I know you are emphasising the points to bring it to our attention, but we are fully aware that this is the Court of Appeal. Better focus on other points,” said Karim added.

Harvinderjit then resumed his submissions before Karim, who presided over the appeal with Has Zanah Mehat and Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera.

Harvinderjit earlier submitted that the prosecution had been selective in charging Najib with CBT in relation to the RM42 million SRC International funds when investigators had issued red notices for the arrest of three others for the offence.

He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had sought Interpol to issue the red notice to former SRC International director Suboh Md Yassin, its former CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil and another individual identified as Redzuan Adam Shah.

“Some time in June or July 2018, red notices were issued against the three of them for CBT amounting to RM50 million.

“Having taken that position, the prosecution suddenly decided to charge Najib,” he said, adding that the three men were said to have fled overseas after the May 9 general election in 2018.

Here, Karim said the public prosecutor had the discretion to do so.

Harvinderjit also said that Suboh and Nik Faisal were the signatories of SRC International and Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd, not Najib.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 28 last year sentenced Najib to 12 years’ jail and fined him RM210 million after finding him guilty on seven charges of CBT, money laundering and abuse of position, involving RM42 million in SRC International funds.

The hearing of the appeal continues.