The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has not yet made a decision regarding Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s request to drop his three other charges of money laundering involving SRC International Sdn Bhd funds totaling RM27 million.
During a case management session on March 12, deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul informed High Court Judge K. Muniandy that the representation is still pending.
Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, requested for his client to be discharged not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) since there has been no decision on the representation filed last August.
“We request the court to use its discretion to grant a DNAA, after which the prosecution can refile the charges if they wish to,” he stated, as reported by Bernama.
In response, Mohd Ashrof clarified, “I’m not seeking withdrawal… we will proceed with the trial… around 20 to 25 witnesses will be summoned to testify in the case, which is scheduled for September,” adding that he needed three months to prepare witness statements.
However, the judge only granted two months for the prosecution to prepare the witness statements.
“The documents must be submitted by May 20. The next case management will be on May 27,” the judge declared, having previously set trial dates for September 17, 18, 19, 23, and 24.
Back in January, Judge Muniandy had ruled that the case must proceed to trial since the accused was charged in 2019, and if the prosecution was not ready by the trial date (Sept 17), the defense could request for a DNAA or full acquittal.
In February 2019, the former prime minister pleaded not guilty to three money laundering charges involving RM27 million received through his AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, located in the AmBank Group Building on July 8, 2014.
If convicted, he could face a maximum fine of RM5 million, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year sentence at Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million in the SRC International case.
He submitted a plea for a royal pardon on September 2, 2022, and on January 29, the Pardons Board reduced his prison term to six years and slashed the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
