SRC trial: Prosecution wants Najib to apologise for FB posts

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution in the corruption trial of Datuk Seri Najib Razak has filed a formal application for the former premier to apologise over his Facebook postings relating to the trial.

The application was filed by deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Izzat Fauzan on Friday (July 26).

According to the notice of application, the prosecution is seeking an order for the respondent to personally apologise to the Court for publishing subjudice statements via his Facebook page.

The posts were uploaded at 9.30pm on July 15 and 11.23am on July 17.

The prosecution is also seeking an order to prohibit the respondent from publishing or causing the publication of similar statements in relation to the trial.

It is further asking the respondent to remove the posts as well as other orders, reliefs or directions deemed fit by the court.

In a supporting affidavit, Muhammad Izzat said the prosecution had called a witness, Yeoh Eng Leong, on July 15.

Yeoh testified on the evidence regarding expenditure and payments made by Najib using his credit cards.

After the witness gave his testimony, the respondent made comments on the evidence and proceeded to explain it.

“The prosecutor submitted that the act of commenting on the evidence is subjudice and the respondent can put forward his version of events in the court of law if he is called to enter his defence and decides to take the stand,” said the prosecution’s filing.

Yeoh, who is Ambank Group senior vice-president, testified that two credit cards belonging to Najib racked up RM3.3mil in one day at a jewellery boutique, De Grisogono, in Italy on Aug 8, 2014.

Najib subsequently posted on his Facebook that he had used the credit cards to buy presents for foreign royalty.

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 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

He allegedly misappropriated RM42mil in funds belonging to SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary.

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