In a surprising turn of events, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, has sought a royal pardon, asserting that he did not receive a fair trial in his appeal for the SRC International Sdn Bhd case. This move has stirred considerable debate and raised questions about the justice system's integrity.
Najib's lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, submitted the pardon application to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on behalf of his client. Among the primary reasons cited in the application is the alleged lack of preparation time for Najib's legal team, led by Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, during the appeal in the Federal Court on August 23.
Speaking at the "Townhall for Justice - Keadilan Sebenarnya untuk Siapa" program, Muhammad Shafee emphasized the uniqueness of Najib's case, stating that the former Prime Minister was deprived of the opportunity to adequately prepare for his defense, stressing the importance of addressing this issue seriously and also highlighting that if it can happen to a former Prime Minister, it can happen to anyone.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year sentence following the Federal Court's affirmation of his conviction in the SRC case. Notably, he had previously applied for a royal pardon in September of the previous year, indicating his persistence in seeking justice through legal avenues.
Prior to the change in his legal representation, Najib had attempted to appoint renowned UK barrister Jonathan Laidlaw to collaborate with Shafee. However, the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed this request, prompting Najib to overhaul his entire legal team, with Hisyam taking the lead.
Najib's conviction in the High Court involved seven counts of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering related to RM42 million in funds linked to SRC. The Court of Appeal upheld this conviction and sentence on December 8, 2021, followed by confirmation from a five-member apex court panel chaired by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat on August 23 of the subsequent year.
Muhammad Shafee also revealed that Najib is seeking assistance from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) to declare that the dismissal of his appeal by the Federal Court was unjust, flawed, and infringed upon his fundamental human rights and the Federal Constitution. Allegations of significant violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Malaysia is a signatory, further complicate the already contentious legal battle.
As the legal and political wrangling continues, Najib Razak's quest for a royal pardon remains a focal point in Malaysia's legal landscape, raising profound questions about justice, fairness, and the rule of law in the country.
Reference: Shafee says Najib seeking pardon as defense team not given chance to prepare | The Star
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