KUALA LUMPUR (June 11): Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s letter of representation seeking to drop the second set of charges involving SRC International Sdn Bhd has been rejected.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adri requested that the case proceed to trial after informing the court of the development on Wednesday. Mohd Ashrof, however, said that he needed some time to prepare all the related documents and asked for a later date.
“We humbly seek for longer trial dates,” he said, noting that there are more than 800 exhibits tendered in the first SRC trial, which will also be required in the coming trial.
The prosecution last saw the exhibits during the first SRC trial in 2020 and the team will have to locate the relevant documents, he added.
In response, Najib's lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah repeated his request for his client to be granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA), meaning that Najib can be recharged for the same offence at a later date.
The senior counsel pointed out that the charges in this case date back to 2019 and were the result of a filing oversight in the first SRC case.
"In the interest of justice, I am suggesting the court grant a DNAA,” Muhammad Shafee said. “When the prosecution is completely in order, they can review their decision” to proceed with the case and will not be prejudiced by the course of action, he said.
Mohd Ashrof, however, said that he can't agree with Shafee's suggestion as they are going to proceed with the trial.
High Court judge K Muniandy said he needed a bit of time to mull over this issue and has set June 20 to deliver his decision on whether to set trial dates or grant a DNAA.
SRC 2, one of the remaining criminal cases against Najib
Najib had sent several letters of representation to drop the three charges of money laundering by accepting proceeds from illegal activities amounting to RM27 million through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts in July 2014.
The ex-PM is currently serving his prison sentence for the first SRC case, after the apex court dismissed his appeal and review bid.
In February last year, the Pardons Board reduced his initial 12-year jail sentence and fine of RM210 million, to six years and a RM50 million fine.
