(Kuala Lumpur, 11th) Deputy Public Prosecutor Aslrof informed High Court Judge Muniandy of this matter during the case mention today.
Aslrof said: “Your Honor, I hereby inform the court that the plea has been dismissed, and the prosecution will continue with the trial. I am instructed to inform the court of this, and request a trial date.”
The prosecutor also requested the court to allow more time for obtaining documents and preparing witness testimonies.
On February 3, 2019, Najib, who faces three charges of money laundering, pleaded not guilty, with the involved funds allegedly originating from SRC International.
The charges state that on July 8, 2014, at the AmBank Group building on Raja Chulan Road, he received RM27 million from illegal activities through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts.
He is accused under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM5 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both upon conviction.
Earlier, Aslrof informed the court that the SRC case involving RM42 million, previously presided over by then High Court Judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan (now an Appeal Court Judge), involved 807 pieces of evidence.
He said the current trial needs to use this evidence.
“Therefore, Your Honor, the prosecution will formally request the High Court registry to return this evidence to the prosecution for use in this case. I am informed that this will take some time, so we respectfully request a longer trial date.”
Additionally, Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Shafee suggested the court declare his client released but not acquitted (DNAA), to avoid burdening the court, allow the prosecution time to prepare, and not prejudice any party’s rights.
“Your Honor, these charges were brought in 2019, and the plea was submitted on July 31, 2023. The defense believes the plea is justified given the outcome and nature of the first SRC case trial and subsequent appeals.”
“This case has been delayed for six years since charges were brought in 2019. Documents related to SRC are spread across various courts, including the Federal Court and civil proceedings.”
The judge then asked the prosecutor’s opinion on the DNAA application, to which Aslrof disagreed, stating that the prosecution is prepared for trial.
“I do not agree, but as for the documents, I request more time to obtain the necessary documents.”
The court set June 20 (Friday) to decide on Najib’s DNAA application.
Najib, convicted of misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International, is currently serving a sentence at Kajang Prison.
He submitted a pardon application on September 2, 2022, and the Pardons Board subsequently reduced his 12-year imprisonment to six years on January 29 last year, and the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Aslrof said: “Your Honor, I hereby inform the court that the plea has been dismissed, and the prosecution will continue with the trial. I am instructed to inform the court of this, and request a trial date.”
The prosecutor also requested the court to allow more time for obtaining documents and preparing witness testimonies.
On February 3, 2019, Najib, who faces three charges of money laundering, pleaded not guilty, with the involved funds allegedly originating from SRC International.
The charges state that on July 8, 2014, at the AmBank Group building on Raja Chulan Road, he received RM27 million from illegal activities through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts.
He is accused under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM5 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both upon conviction.
Earlier, Aslrof informed the court that the SRC case involving RM42 million, previously presided over by then High Court Judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan (now an Appeal Court Judge), involved 807 pieces of evidence.
He said the current trial needs to use this evidence.
“Therefore, Your Honor, the prosecution will formally request the High Court registry to return this evidence to the prosecution for use in this case. I am informed that this will take some time, so we respectfully request a longer trial date.”
Additionally, Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Shafee suggested the court declare his client released but not acquitted (DNAA), to avoid burdening the court, allow the prosecution time to prepare, and not prejudice any party’s rights.
“Your Honor, these charges were brought in 2019, and the plea was submitted on July 31, 2023. The defense believes the plea is justified given the outcome and nature of the first SRC case trial and subsequent appeals.”
“This case has been delayed for six years since charges were brought in 2019. Documents related to SRC are spread across various courts, including the Federal Court and civil proceedings.”
The judge then asked the prosecutor’s opinion on the DNAA application, to which Aslrof disagreed, stating that the prosecution is prepared for trial.
“I do not agree, but as for the documents, I request more time to obtain the necessary documents.”
The court set June 20 (Friday) to decide on Najib’s DNAA application.
Najib, convicted of misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International, is currently serving a sentence at Kajang Prison.
He submitted a pardon application on September 2, 2022, and the Pardons Board subsequently reduced his 12-year imprisonment to six years on January 29 last year, and the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.