Najib's graft trial to proceed despite last-ditch effort for stay order

PETALING JAYA: The hearing of Datuk Seri Najib Razak's trial relating to seven corruption charges involving RM42mil in SRC International Sdn Bhd funds will proceed as scheduled on Wednesday (April 3).

This is despite the review application that Najib filed on Monday (April 1) against the Federal Court's refusal to grant him an order to stay the trial.

When contacted, Najib's lawyer Harvinderjit Singh said the review will be heard on Thursday (April 4).

The matter is expected to be heard before a panel at the Federal Court.

On Monday, Harvinderjit informed the High Court that Najib had filed the review application during a case mention in the former premier's other case involving 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds of RM2.28bil.

On March 27, a seven-man bench chaired by Chief Justice Richard Malanjum lifted the stay of proceedings which was granted by the Court of Appeal to Najib after ruling that the appellate court had no jurisdiction over the matter.

The High Court then fixed the one-day hearing date on April 3 without fixing further dates.

On July 4 last year, Najib claimed trial to a charge of abuse of power and three counts of criminal breach of trust linked to the 1MDB scandal.

He allegedly misappropriated RM42mil in funds belonging to SRC International.

On Aug 8, he appeared in court again for the second time and was charged with three counts of money laundering involving the same RM42mil.