Najib files application to recuse chief justice from presiding over his final appeal in 1MDB-linked case

The prosecution got wrapped up their own submissions on Aug 19, with the prosecutor telling the courtroom that the combined functions played by Najib enabled him to execute his strategy of benefitting from SRC International funds.    

The pinnacle court had last week denied Mr Teh’s request to discharge himself from representing the former prime minister in his final charm.

The charges against Najib, whom served as excellent minister from 2009 to 2018, involved the transfer associated with RM42 million from SRC International, an ex subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) into his personal bank accounts in 2014 and 2015.

He was discovered guilty on three counts of unlawful breach of trust, three counts of money laundering and one depend of abuse associated with power by the High Court in July 2020, and was sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million.  

The conviction had been upheld by the Courtroom of Appeal upon Dec 8, 2021. Najib later filed a petition associated with appeal to the Federal government Court on Interest 25 this year.

The Federal Court had initially set aside nine days : Aug 15 to Aug 19 plus Aug 23 to Aug 26 — for his attractiveness. This is Najib’s last bid to overturn the guilty confidence.

The trial proper however just started on August 18, after Najib’s lawyers had submitted several applications.  

On Aug 15, Najib sought to adduce new evidence in his appeal, but the five-man bench unanimously rejected the application a day later.

The Federal Court also dismissed the request by Najib to adjourn the ultimate appeal hearing.  

On Weekend, Najib took an Islamic oath in a mosque in Kuala Lumpur, where he swore on his innocence.