Najib's second SRC case to be heard after disposal of conviction review bid

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today set Nov 29 for mention of Najib Razak’s other SRC International case involving RM27 million from the sovereign wealth fund.

Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan fixed the date after allowing the prosecution’s application to have another mention date for the case, pending Najib’s review application to reverse his conviction and sentence for the misappropriation of RM42 million in SRC International funds.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul said the first case management of Najib’s review application had been set for Oct 21 at the Federal Court.

"I humbly require another mention date for the RM27 million SRC International case pending the disposal of that review. 

"We anticipate the review to be heard in November or December (this year) but if you're inclined to it, I personally think it will not be done (by) then," said Ashrof.

Lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, representing Najib, said the defence team had sent a letter to the Federal Court to request an earlier case management date for the review on grounds of urgency linked to fundamental issues in the case.
 
"I have no objection (for the court to set another mention date) because it has a nexus with the first case. It is only logical. I presume by November, the apex court should hear us (for the review)," he said. 

Zaini said parties could write to the court should any extraordinary developments occur in the review application.

The trial was previously postponed pending the disposal of the RM42 million SRC International appeal.

On Feb 3, 2019, Najib pleaded not guilty to three charges of money laundering, where he is alleged to have received money totalling RM27 million, allegedly proceeds from unlawful activities, in three AmPrivate Banking accounts belonging to him.

Najib is alleged to have committed the offences at AmIslamic Bank Bhd, Bangunan Ambank Group,  No. 55, Jalan Raja Chulan, on July 8, 2014.

He was charged under Section 4 (1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5 million, jail not exceeding five years, or both upon conviction.