KUALA LUMPUR – The high court’s ruling to order former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to enter his defence against 25 counts of criminal charges involving RM2.27 billion from sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) creates a huge relief for those who adore rule of law, said Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim.
The PKR MP, when contacted by Scoop, said that he respected the ruling made by judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Suquerah, which showed that the country still has a free, independent judiciary.
“All those who adore the rule of law are feeling relieved and confident that the legal and judiciary systems in our country are on the right track.
“After five years of trials, the court has found that the prosecution has successfully established a prima facie case, thus convincing the public that Najib has gotten himself a fair trial.
“He still has the chance to defend himself (and) adequate time will be allocated to him (to do so),” Hassan said when contacted.
Echoing Hassan’s sentiments were DAP’s Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid and Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong, who said that the court ruling is proof that the country’s judiciary branch carries out its duties independently with zero interference.
“(Therefore), we (Malaysians) should accept the decision made by the judge,” Koay told Scoop.
Syerleena said that the order given to the former Pekan MP to present his defence sends a strong message that accountability is essential and reinforces the principle that no one is above the law.
“This development is something many Malaysians have been waiting for, and it can help restore faith in our judicial system,” she said.
Meanwhile, Raub MP Chow Yu Hui of DAP told Scoop that although establishing a prima facie case does not necessarily prove that Najib is guilty, it solidifies public trust in the judicial system.
In ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, Lawrence said the court found sufficient grounds for Najib, 71, to address the allegations of power abuse and money laundering.
“In all circumstances, based on available evidence and upon conducting a maximum evaluation of the prosecution’s case, the court finds that the prosecution has successfully proven each ingredient of all offences,” the judge said during the proceedings.
Improving optics?
Commenting further, Hassan also said that the court’s ruling would also place Malaysia in good optics globally, which would boost confidence among foreign firms or investors in Malaysia’s legal and court system.
Syerleena also said that the ruling can positively impact the government’s image by demonstrating its commitment to transparency and justice when asked whether the ruling would help in improving Putrajaya’s image, which took a hit in the past following accusations of executive interference following the conditional discharge given to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his Yayasan Akalbudi case.
“It’s crucial for us (Malaysians) to support a legal process that is fair and impartial, and I see this (ruling) as a step forward in strengthening public trust in our institutions,’ she added.
Conversely, Chow said that the court decision only reflects the integrity of the judiciary, and the public should not take it as an effort to “help the government’s image”
In September 2018, Najib was charged with four counts of power abuse and 21 money-laundering charges in relation to monies from 1MDB. He was accused of committing the offences at AmIslamic Bank Bhd’s Jalan Raja Chulan branch in Bukit Ceylon, here, between 2011 and 2014.
The 1MDB hearing began in August 2019, with the prosecution closing its case on May 30 this year after summoning 50 witnesses to testify before the court, including former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz as well as 1MDB’s former chief executive officers Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi and Mohd Hazem Abd Rahman.
If found guilty of the power abuse charges against him, framed under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, Najib could face a maximum 20-year imprisonment term and an RM10,000 fine or a fine five times the amount of money solicited, whichever is higher.
For the 21 money laundering charges under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA), Najib could be hit with a maximum RM5 million fine, up to five years in prison or both. – October 30, 2024