The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has moved to counter claims that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was denied a fair trial in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case, stating that the arguments recently highlighted by his defence are neither new nor overlooked by the court.
In a statement issued on Friday, the AGC said assertions raised by Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, merely restated matters that had already been thoroughly examined during the lengthy High Court proceedings. According to the Chambers, these issues were argued and tested throughout the trial period, which spanned from August 2019 until November 2025.
The AGC stressed that the defence had ample opportunity to present its case, adding that all relevant submissions were addressed within the established judicial process. It reiterated its stance that prosecutions under its authority are carried out independently, fairly and in line with legal and ethical standards.
Shafee had earlier claimed that Najib did not receive a fair trial in relation to the RM2.2 billion 1MDB case, citing several concerns. Among them were difficulties in obtaining certain evidence from former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, the continued absence of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho from Malaysia to face charges, and the argument that some prosecution witnesses had not themselves been prosecuted.
While advancing these points publicly, Shafee acknowledged that the fair trial argument had already been raised before the court during the trial. He also clarified that repeating these concerns was not intended to seek a postponement of the High Court’s decision.
The AGC, however, maintained that such matters fall squarely within the scope of issues already deliberated during the trial and do not introduce any fresh legal questions that would affect the court’s impending ruling.
The High Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict next Friday on Najib’s case, which involves 25 charges. These include allegations of abusing his position to obtain financial benefits amounting to RM2.2 billion, as well as money laundering charges linked to the transfer of approximately RM2.08 billion from 1MDB into his personal bank accounts.
By reaffirming that all defence contentions were canvassed during the trial, the AGC underscored confidence in the integrity of the judicial process handling one of Malaysia’s most complex and high-profile corruption cases. The Chambers’ response signals its position that the court’s forthcoming decision will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of evidence and arguments already placed on record, rather than on claims revived outside the courtroom.
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