https://www.sinardaily.my/article/728232/focus/national/najib-relieved-after-court-grants-dnaa

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is relieved to be free from yet another legal burden after the High Court granted him a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) over three money laundering charges involving RM27 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.

His lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, confirmed the development on Friday, stating Najib is relieved to have fewer cases weighing on him, particularly after multiple previous requests for a DNAA.

With this, he said Najib can now concentrate fully on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case.

The High Court allowed the DNAA application filed on June 11.

The decision followed Najib’s failed bid to have the charges dropped after the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) rejected his representation on July 31, 2023.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul had initially requested the court to set a new date for trial.

However, Shafee again pressed for a DNAA, pointing out that the case had been ongoing since 2019 with over six years of delays.

When asked about the possibility of an appeal, Shafee clarified that the deputy public prosecutor cannot challenge the decision, as the prosecution retains the option to pursue the case again once they are prepared.

“Of course, we hope they do not, because this case has already prejudiced against Najib. So I hope the Attorney General will use his discretion and authority to close the case,” he said.

Najib was charged on Feb 3, 2019, with receiving RM27 million from illegal proceeds through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank, Jalan Raja Chulan, on July 8, 2014.

The charges were brought under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, which carries a maximum of five years in prison, a RM5 million fine, or both, upon conviction.

Despite this discharge, Najib continues to serve his sentence at Kajang Prison for misappropriating RM42 million from the same SRC International fund. He began serving his sentence on Aug 23, 2022.

He was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and a RM210 million fine, which were upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court.

However, a royal pardon petition filed on Sept 2, 2022, led to the Pardons Board reducing his sentence to six years and the fine to RM50 million.