Munmun Kaur-
Published On: December 08, 2021 at 13:24 IST
A sentence of 12 years given by a High Court in July 2020, to ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak was upheld by Malaysia’s Appellate Court on December 08. He was held guilty of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering for illegally receiving 42 million ringgit ($9.9 million) from SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB.
Appeal Court Judge Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil observed, “All in all, we find the conviction safe…We dismiss the appeal… and affirm the conviction by the High Court on all seven charges.”
Although, Najib can still appeal against the conviction in the Federal Court. The Appellate Court agreed to stay on the conviction, pending the final appeal. Till then, Najib will remain out on Bail.
Apparently, Najib has denied the charge, calling them political. He claims that he had no knowledge of the SRC money channeled into his bank account and was duped by Malaysian fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, who claimed it to be a part of a donation from the Saudi royal family.
Though Justice Abdul Karim called his arguments untenable and while rejecting his argument of working in National interest stated, “There is no National interest here, just National embarrassment”.
There are in total 42 charges in 5 separate Trial against Najib, some of which are ongoing. Even his wife is on Trial for graft.