1. THE Federal Court – as the apex and supreme court of the land – has on 23 August 2022 delivered its verdict and judgment on Najib Razak’s conviction by the High Court and as upheld by the Court of Appeal in relation to the seven charges concerning abuse of power, criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering in his capacity as the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Adviser Emeritus who exercised overarching power over SRC International.
In pursuant of the charges levelled at Najib, the relevant laws were as follows:
• Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (abuse of power),
• Section 409 of the Penal Code (CBT) and, finally,
• Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (money laundering).
As it stands, the verdict of the five-person bench composition of the sitting Federal Court was unanimous – as had been the verdict of the Court of Appeal.
Together with the trial judge of the High Court, this cumulatively makes for nine judges in total who have ruled against Najib in his conduct re SRC International.
It needs to be said that the unqualified and unconditional and, therefore, absolute judgment of the all three courts of the judiciary of Malaysia represents a vindication of all the efforts that had been undertaken to bring the ultimate perpetrator – of what is simply another episode in the long list of scandals that has beset our beloved country – to justice.
Special mention is to be made of the lead prosecutor Datuk V. Sithambaram – whose unflagging and indomitable posture in the face of a former Prime Minister who wielded near-absolute power and who remains highly influential in his own right – pursued the case with dogged and unrelenting determination to ensure that guilt is openly and finally demonstrated.
2. Now that “the work of justice is done, let the work of mercy begin”.
Having been judged guilty (again) and thereby sentenced to 12 years imprisonment (and a fine of RM210 million in lieu of another five-year jail term), let Najib thereafter seek redemption and repentance, and not only peace, consolation and comfort.
He has now the opportunity, time and space to reflect and ponder on his misdeeds and miscreant conduct towards nation and society – so as to seek forgiveness from both the Almighty and fellow citizens.
3. Of late, aspersion has been cast on the independence and objectivity of the judiciary. Whilst this is not unprecedented, given the interference of the Executive in the past, under the Right Honourable Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat CJ, the present judiciary has once again re-asserted its independence and institutional dignity.
It is vital that the Executive as well as sitting-Parliament continue to respect the separation of powers, the rule of law and the supremacy of the Federal Constitution so that the judiciary can be seen for what it is, namely an equal partner and branch of government.
4. The allegation by Najib that he has not been given a fair trial due to bias on the part of the CJ cannot be sustained.
For bias to be shown, a judge has to have either a conflict of interest which would normally imply some vested interest or (material) benefit to gain from ruling in favour of one side.
This was shown not to be the case with Judge Nazlan Ghazali of the High Court since there was no conflict of interest between his previous role in Maybank and as sitting judge for the SRC International case.
Or that there was actual bias such that the case is already pre-determined. An example of actual bias would be where the judge displayed bias during the court proceedings.
But this can’t be proven as even Najib’s lawyers dare not raise the matter.
The testimony and conduct of all the prosecution witnesses had been very clear – Najib bears ultimate culpability.
On the refusal of the Federal Court to allow for deferment, this cannot be said to jeopardise or threaten the integrity and fairness of the proceeding – since there was no proper basis to do so in the first place.
Recall that the original plea for deferment was on the basis that Najib wanted to engage a QC, i.e., a foreigner to argue what he claimed to be complex points of law.
But the question immediately arises – how would procuring the services of a foreign lawyer help to address what is simply a matter of purely domestic law (Malaysian legislation)?
Indeed, this was precisely the judgment of Judge Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid in hearing the bid to admit Jonathan LaidLaw QC to represent Najib.
Judge Kamal has said that Laidlaw did not possess special qualifications and experience that were unavailable among local lawyers.
To quote the judge: “From the perusal of the applicant’s CV, it would indicate that he has no experience of providing legal advice or services here. It raises genuine concern and doubt on the admission as to whether the applicant, who does not know local laws, would benefit the local legal fraternity”.
5. And finally, let us not forget Najib is still facing more charges in relation to 1MDB.
As with SRC International, it is the same actor and player. SRC International was a subsidiary of 1MDB when it was formed in 2011, but “de-merged” in 2012.
The charges are all symptomatic of what has gone wrong with our politics and political system.
The remaining charges are as follows:
a) 1MDB – RM2.82 billion – four charges of bribery and 21 charges of money laundering involving the amount
b) 1MDB – RM6.6 billion – six counts of CBT together with Irwan Serigar (former Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance)
c) 1MDB audit report tampering – together with Arul Kanda
d) SRC International – RM27 million – money laundering
May justice continue to be upheld. In response to Najib’s sumpah laknat, we say fiat iustitia, ruat caelum (“let justice be done though the heavens fall”) …
Datuk Wira Dr Hj. Rais Hussin Hj Mohamed Ariff is the President and Chief Executive Office of EMIR Research
Media Statement
Fri Aug 26 2022
![Federal Court judgement in upholding Najib Razak's conviction in SRC International Federal Court judgement in upholding Najib Razak's conviction in SRC International](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/51660875942_TBNAJIBRAZAK.jpg)
Together with the trial judge of the High Court, this cumulatively makes for nine judges in total who have ruled against Najib in his conduct re SRC International. - BERNAMA
![RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/81678788517_MahkamahUtama.jpg)
RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan
Apa sahaja pindaan terhadap akta itu perlu berjalan selari dengan persediaan mereka yang bertanggungjawab melaksanakannya.
![Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/81646741163_DatukWilliamNg.jpg)
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
![Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/71694910732_DatukArthurJoseph.jpg)
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
![Rosmah nafi barang kemas, beg tangan, aksesori mewah dibeli hasil aktiviti haram Rosmah nafi barang kemas, beg tangan, aksesori mewah dibeli hasil aktiviti haram](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41716888562_RosmahMansor.jpg)
Rosmah nafi barang kemas, beg tangan, aksesori mewah dibeli hasil aktiviti haram
Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor menegaskan bahawa barang kemas, beg tangan dan barangan mewah lain yang berada dalam milikannya bukan dibeli dengan wang hasil aktiviti haram.
![Noh Omar sah sertai Bersatu berkuat kuasa serta-merta Noh Omar sah sertai Bersatu berkuat kuasa serta-merta](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/51687059960_TanSriNohOmar.jpg)
Noh Omar sah sertai Bersatu berkuat kuasa serta-merta
Bekas Pengerusi UMNO Selangor, Tan Sri Noh Omar sah menyertai Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) berkuat kuasa serta-merta.
![Najib gagal dalam permohonan cabar kewujudan titah adendum jalani tahanan di rumah Najib gagal dalam permohonan cabar kewujudan titah adendum jalani tahanan di rumah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61718808324_TBNajib.jpg)
Najib gagal dalam permohonan cabar kewujudan titah adendum jalani tahanan di rumah
Mahkamah Tinggi KL tolak permohonan Najib untuk dapatkan kebenaran mulakan semakan kehakiman bagi mencabar kewujudan Titah Adendum.
![Pembelaan Najib dibenar sertai semakan kebenaran keputusan Lembaga Pengampunan Pembelaan Najib dibenar sertai semakan kebenaran keputusan Lembaga Pengampunan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51719902869_TBNajibjpg.jpg)
Pembelaan Najib dibenar sertai semakan kebenaran keputusan Lembaga Pengampunan
Najib dibenarkan untuk menyertai prosiding permohonan Badan Peguam Malaysia, bagi mendapatkan kebenaran memulakan semakan kehakiman, di Mahkamah Tinggi di sini, pada Selasa.
![Saman sivil SRC: Ismee sambung beri keterangan 29 Julai Saman sivil SRC: Ismee sambung beri keterangan 29 Julai](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/41639648016_IsmeeIsmail.jpg)
Saman sivil SRC: Ismee sambung beri keterangan 29 Julai
Perbicaraan kes saman sivil dikemuka SRC International terhadap Datuk Seri Najib Razak di Mahkamah Tinggi akan bersambung pada 29 Julai.
![Penglibatan saya di SRC hanya sebagai 'rubber stamp' - Bekas pengarah Penglibatan saya di SRC hanya sebagai 'rubber stamp' - Bekas pengarah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51718888330_SubohMdYassin.jpg)
Penglibatan saya di SRC hanya sebagai 'rubber stamp' - Bekas pengarah
Suboh Md Yassin berkata beliau hanya berkhidmat sebagai 'rubber stamp' dalam syarikat itu bagi melaksanakan kehendak Penasihat Emeritusnya, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
![Najib kawal penuh semua aspek SRC - Bekas pengarah Najib kawal penuh semua aspek SRC - Bekas pengarah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61718808324_TBNajib.jpg)
Najib kawal penuh semua aspek SRC - Bekas pengarah
Bekas pengarah SRC International Sdn Bhd memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini bahawa semua aspek perjalanan syarikat pelaburan strategik itu dikawal penuh oleh Datuk Seri Najib Razak atau mela
![Bicara kes pecah amanah Najib, Mohd Irwan ditangguh 22 Julai Bicara kes pecah amanah Najib, Mohd Irwan ditangguh 22 Julai](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61717472037_MohdIrwanSerigar.jpg)
Bicara kes pecah amanah Najib, Mohd Irwan ditangguh 22 Julai
Hakim membenarkan permohonan Kumaraendran berikutan pihak pembelaan masih belum menerima 48 lagi dokumen berkaitan kes daripada pendakwaan.
![Perbicaraan kes saman sivil SRC terhadap Najib ditangguh ke 19 Jun Perbicaraan kes saman sivil SRC terhadap Najib ditangguh ke 19 Jun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61718269168_Najib.jpg)
Perbicaraan kes saman sivil SRC terhadap Najib ditangguh ke 19 Jun
Perbicaraan kes saman sivil SRC terhadap Najib Razak dan Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil di Mahkamah Tinggi ditangguhkan ke 19 Jun.
![Tahanan rumah: Mahkamah benar permohonan Najib masukkan dua afidavit Tahanan rumah: Mahkamah benar permohonan Najib masukkan dua afidavit](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71717068377_NajibRazak.jpg)
Tahanan rumah: Mahkamah benar permohonan Najib masukkan dua afidavit
Najib, 71, memfailkan permohonan kebenaran untuk semakan berkenaan di Mahkamah Tinggi di sini pada 1 April, menerusi Tetuan Shafee & Co.