Aug 12 hearing for bid by Thomas, govt to quash Najib's suit on 1MDB scandal

The application by former attorney-general Tommy Thomas and the Malaysian government to quash the suit filed by Najib Razak over alleged misfeasance in public office for prosecuting him on charges involving 1MDB funds will be heard on Aug 12.

Najib's lawyer Yudistra Darma Dorai, when contacted, said the application would be heard before judge Ahmad Bache.

He said the date was fixed by Bache during online case management today.

On Nov 18 last year, Thomas and the government submitted an application to quash the suit, claiming that the former prime minister's action in suing them was a collateral attack to prevent the criminal proceedings against him.

Najib filed the suit on Oct 22 last year, naming Thomas and the government as the first and second defendants.

He claimed that he had been wrongly accused in court in the case of 1MDB, International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), abuse of power under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

The Pekan MP also claimed that the charges against him were part of a move planned in advance by Thomas and in line with the Pakatan Harapan government’s plan at the time.

Najib claimed that in 2015, Thomas had met Dr Mahathir Mohamad to discuss wrongdoings and mismanagement, allegedly over the 1MDB funds, and advised Mahathir to take civil and criminal action against him over his involvement in 1MDB.

He is seeking RM1.9 million in damages and a declaration that Thomas had committed misfeasance in public office, including consultation fees for the audit team to review documentation for the preparation of facts to address the prosecution against him.