(Jan 17): Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak has filed an application to obtain the audio recordings released by MACC which allegedly involved him in conversations regarding the 1MDB scandal.

Malaysiakini reported DPP Muhammad Izzat Fauzan as confirming that the prosecution was served with copies of the notice of motion and Najib’s affidavit in support this afternoon.

The cause papers were dated Jan 15 and filed by legal firm Messrs Shafee & Co at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Registry. The notice of motion was filed under Section 51 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Najib is seeking an order to compel the prosecution and/or the MACC to provide him with a true copy of the complete audio recordings partly played by MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya during a press conference on Jan 8, Malaysiakini reported.

In the affidavit, Najib said he had been advised by his solicitors that the audio recordings are relevant and material for the purpose of his defence in his RM42 million SRC International trial and other ongoing 1MDB-linked cases.

In the affidavit, Najib specifically referred to his RM2.28 billion 1MDB case, RM6.64 billion IPIC case, RM42 million SRC International case and the 1MDB audit tampering case.

He said the audio recordings are particularly needed for his various ongoing court cases as Latheefa Koya, during the press conference, had said that they are relevant to the SRC case, among others, Malaysiakini reported.

Najib said Latheefa also claimed that the audio recordings revealed to the commission of purported offences involving him in relation to the SRC and 1MDB cases.

During the Jan 8 press conference, Latheefa had said: "Based on our understanding there are signs of abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and fabrication of false evidence based on the recording."

Najib added in his court papers: “I have been advised by my solicitors and I verily believe that these audio recordings need to be examined thoroughly to ascertain the truth of these serious allegations.

“I have been further been advised and verily believe that given the matters above, the relevant orders sought for this application are justified in order to provide me with a reasonable opportunity to effectively prepare and undertake the defence case and be afforded a fair trial in pursuance of my constitutional rights.”

According to the affidavit, Najib would be filing a separate application for sub judice and contempt against the MACC and Latheefa Koya over the release of the audio recordings’ contents to the press on Jan 8, Malaysiakini reported.