Court rejects Najib’s bid to adduce fresh evidence in SRC case

PUTRAJAYA, March 16 – The Federal Court has dismissed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s appeal to adduce fresh evidence in his attempt to overturn his conviction in the RM42 million SRC International Sdn Bhd corruption case. 

A panel of five judges, led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, delivered the unanimous decision during the hearing in the Palace of Justice this afternoon. 

The other judges presiding on the bench were Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Rohana Yusuf, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Azahar Mohamed, Chief Judge Sabah, and Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, and Federal Court Judge Datuk Seri Mohd Zawawi Salleh.

Tengku Maimun said the court does not see how the purported evidence on Zeti Akhtar Aziz’s family members allegedly receiving 1MDB funds from Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) is relevant to Najib’s SRC International appeal.

Delivering the judgment, Tengku Maimun said the panel of judges found that the Court of Appeal was correct to find that the fresh evidence application was of no merit.

“We find that the fresh evidence application did not comply with the legal requirements, and they are, as such, without merit.”

“We find that the Court of Appeal was correct in its decision that the fresh evidence application was of no merit. We do not find any appealable error.”

“In this consensus, this appeal is hereby dismissed,” she said.

The appellate court upheld Najib’s 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine. However, Najib was released on bail pending his final appeal before the Federal Court.

NMT