In a recent ruling, High Court Judge K. Muniandy has granted former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak the opportunity to apply for release without discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) or full discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNA) from three charges of money laundering related to SRC International Sdn. Bhd, totaling RM27 million. The trial is set to commence on September 17, 18, 19, 23, and 24.
The decision comes after the Deputy Public Prosecutor, Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul, informed the court that no decision had been reached regarding Najib's representation to drop the case. The next case management for the trial is scheduled for March 12.
Najib was initially charged in the Sessions Court on February 8, 2019, with three counts of money laundering, but the case was later transferred to the High Court. The charges allege that Najib engaged in money laundering activities by receiving a total of RM27 million in three AmPrivate Banking accounts.
The specific incidents under scrutiny occurred at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, Ambank Group Building, No 55, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, on July 8, 2014. Najib faces charges under Section 4 (1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.
Currently serving a 12-year sentence in Kajang Prison and fined RM210 million, Najib faced charges of breach of trust, abuse of power, and money laundering related to SRC International funds amounting to RM42 million. Despite his ongoing imprisonment, Najib has sent a representation to the Attorney General seeking the dropping of three additional money laundering charges involving SRC funds totaling RM27 million.
It is worth noting that Najib is entangled in two other court cases. The first involves the embezzlement of RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds, currently at the trial stage, with the prosecution having called 49 witnesses thus far. The second case pertains to criminal breach of trust amounting to RM6.6 billion related to payments to the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).
As the legal battles continue, Najib's opportunity to apply for release in September adds another layer of complexity to his legal predicament. The unfolding events underscore the multifaceted legal challenges faced by the former prime minister, with multiple cases concurrently in progress and ongoing efforts to seek relief from certain charges.
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