INSULT TO THE COURT OR INSULT TO THE PEOPLE – NAJIB’S ACQUITTAL THE FIRST OF ‘MANY GOOD THINGS TO COME’? – AS ROSMAH & NAJIB’S LAWYER CHEER, ‘TIN KOSONG’ ANWAR’S GOVT SAYS IT ‘RESPECTS THE COURT’S DECISION’ – AMID ACCUSATIONS OF GOVT INTERFERENCE IN THE CASE – ALL EYES ON WHETHER AG IDRUS, WHOSE TERM WAS EXTENDED BY 6 MONTHS, WILL APPEAL THE ACQUITTAL
Govt respects court’s acquittal of Najib, says Fahmi
PUTRAJAYA: The government respects the High Court’s decision to acquit former prime minister Najib Razak from a charge of alleged abuse of power by causing amendments to the 1MDB audit report.
“As Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said, the government will not interfere with the court’s affairs,” communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil told a press conference here.
Fahmi added that claims the government had interfered in the case were an insult to the courts.
Justice Zaini Mazlan held that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Najib under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
In his judgment, Zaini held that although four items were removed from the 1MDB audit report, those items did not give rise to the possibility of any civil or criminal proceedings being brought against Najib.
The judge also issued a certificate of indemnity in Arul Kanda’s favour after being satisfied that the former 1MDB CEO had been truthful and given full discovery when testifying in the case.
Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, described the former Pekan MP’s acquittal as a positive development for their family and would also boost the ex-Umno president’s morale.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year jail term after his conviction and sentencing in the SRC International case were upheld by the Federal Court last year.
An application for leave to review the SRC case is presently pending in the Federal Court. FMT
‘Better things to come’, Rosmah says after decision on Najib’s case
Rosmah Mansor described the court decision that acquitted her husband, Najib Abdul Razak on charges related to tampering with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) audit report as a victory for her family.
She also said the decision certainly restored the spirit and was highly anticipated not only for Najib but also for their families.
“Thankfully, thank God, today’s case is a victory not only for my husband (Najib) but for our family.
“Datuk said he (Najib) is also grateful, this is a victory for him. Hope God willing… better things to come,” said Rosmah (above) when met by the media after the proceedings.
Earlier, the High Court acquitted Najib and former 1MDB chief executive officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy of the charges after finding that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against both of them.
Meanwhile, Najib’s counsel, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said the decision by Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan had lifted the spirits of the former prime minister.
“Najib wanted to communicate to the members of the media, he wanted to tell you (press) that he is grateful to Allah for this decision today because it really uplifts his humble (Najib) spirit and desire to fight,” he said right after the judgement was delivered by the judge.
Shafee said, the decision today will be the beginning of many good things to come and today’s decision was beyond a mere acquittal and discharge as the trial judge said there was no element of corruption or gratification.
“This is the first case out of those cases that we got a good result. I hope that the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) will not appeal because the finding of the judge is completely supportable,” he said.
Meanwhile, when met by the media, Arul Kanda said he thanked everyone who stood up for him in the last few years.
“The trial judge made it very clear that I was not involved in this case. I am very happy. I would like to thank everyone including my family, friends, and my legal team. I think the immediate next step is to update my resume,” he said. BERNAMA
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