Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib was involved in the dishonesty and money laundering case of SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd. The Federal Court on Tuesday (23rd) rejected Najib’s final appeal. Najib maintained his sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine. 210 million ringgit (about 367 million Hong Kong dollars), and need to be imprisoned immediately; Najib also became the first former prime minister to be imprisoned in the history of the country.
Federal Court Chief Justice Mai Run said that the five trial judges unanimously agreed to uphold the original sentence. Najib earlier asked Mai Run to withdraw from the trial, questioning Mai Run’s husband Zamani’s established position on the case and affecting justice; the court rejected the request on Tuesday. Najib said in a statement on Tuesday that it would take an additional two months to organize a team of lawyers. The court said the defence had been given ample opportunity to make oral submissions, but the defence refused.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled in July last year that Najib, 69, was found guilty of three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money laundering and one count of abuse of power; the Court of Appeal dismissed Najib’s appeal in December last year. According to the law, once an elected member is convicted by a court, fined more than RM2,000 (about HK$3,496) or imprisoned for more than one year, he will automatically lose his membership as a member, and he will not be allowed to stand for election within five years after his release from prison.
Najib is expected to seek a pardon from the king, but he will have to wait for the other side to consider whether to approve his application. Former Prime Minister Mahathir previously pointed out that once Najib’s appeal is dismissed, there is only a 50% chance that he will be pardoned by the king. If Najib does not get the amnesty, it means that he will not be able to participate in the general elections that will be held at any time.