PUTRAJAYA (Dec 26): After being found guilty of all charges in the main 1MDB trial, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he remains determined to continue fighting his case in court, but not for the sake of “evading responsibility”.
The endeavour is to uphold justice, safeguard the integrity of the Federal Constitution and defend the sovereignty of the rule of law, Najib said in a statement, read out by his lead defence lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah during a press conference after the verdict on Friday night.
“My intention has never changed: to contribute to the development of the nation and the wellbeing of the people. I will continue to pursue my rights through lawful channels, with dignity and patience, even if the path is lonely and demands great sacrifice.
"Whatever the decision today, I remain confident in the country’s judicial process," the former prime minister said in the statement.
Najib called on all Malaysian's to "remain calm, rational and prudent, and not to be influenced by or involved in any provocation that could undermine public harmony or demean the legal process."
“Differences of opinion should be expressed maturely, orderly and in accordance with the law," he said.
Earlier, Najib was sentenced to 15 years in jail and fined RM11.38 billion in the 1MDB-Tanore trial.
Trial judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah found the ex-PM guilty on all four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money-laundering.
Najib is already serving a six-year jail term — reduced by the Pardons Board from 12 years — after being found guilty of seven charges, including abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1MDB. He also has to pay a RM50 million fine, which was reduced from RM210 million.
The latest 1MDB sentence is to be served after his SRC International case sentence.