Argument over Najib’s bail amount lasted an hour

KUALA LUMPUR: The argument for bail in the case of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took about an hour before it was fixed at RM1mil at the High Court.

Attorney General Tommy Thomas said that although the charges were of a non-bailable nature, the prosecution would not object if the court used its discretion to grant bail.

“We propose RM4mil in two sureties. We also ask for the accused to surrender his passport. As for the RM4mil, we want it in cash,” he said.

Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Muham­mad Shafee Abdullah, however, argued that the amount was excessive.

“My client is not a flight risk. He has an unblemished record, an MP since 1976, and he also served as Pahang mentri besar. He doesn’t even have a traffic offence,” he said.

The court was told that Najib’s bank account and those of his wife and his children had been frozen.

Muhammad Shafee said Najib, through his wife and children, had to ask money from family and friends, adding: “My client is ready to put his family home in Langgak Duta as collateral.”

He then proposed bail between RM500,000 and RM800,000 in two sureties. He said Najib would surrender both his civilian and diplomatic passports to the court.

Thomas, however, objected to putting up the property as collateral, saying: “In the case that the accused did abscond, the court would have to take action to sell the house. Why should the agencies be saddled with the responsibility to cash the property in the event of absconding?”

Justice Mohd Sofian Abd Razak said the court decides on the quantum of bail based on the facts of each case.

“This is the first time this court is hearing a case involving a former prime minister. The only reason the RM4mil was proposed was based on a percentage of the amount.

“In a sum view of RM42mil, 10% is about RM4mil. ... Bail is set at RM1mil in cash in two sureties and the accused has to surrender both his passports,” the judge said.

The court also agreed for the bail payment to be in two instalments. Najib left the court complex after paying RM500,000 today. The remainder will be paid on Monday.