KUALA LUMPUR: The RM27mil money laundering trial involving Datuk Seri Najib Razak and SRC International Sdn Bhd will continue to a full trial.
This decision follows the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) rejection of a representation by the former Pekan MP seeking a review of his charges.
During case management on Wednesday, June 11, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Ashroff Adrin Kamarul informed Justice K. Muniandy of the AGC's decision to reject the representation.
The prosecution expressed readiness to proceed with the trial but requested a later hearing date to organise the case documents.
"There are 807 exhibits that were tendered in the previous SRC International trial. Many of those exhibits are required in this trial, and that will require a bit of time. We humbly seek a longer trial date,” he stated.
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Najib's lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, urged the court to grant a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) due to the prolonged delay.
A DNAA would discharge Najib from the charges without fully acquitting him, allowing for future prosecution on the same charges.
“In the interest of justice, I am suggesting the court grant a DNAA,” Shafee said.
Justice Muniandy set June 20 as the date to decide whether to set trial dates or grant a DNAA.
On Feb 3, 2019, Najib claimed trial to three charges of money laundering by accepting RM27 million from unlawful activities through three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, Jalan Raja Chulan, on July 8, 2014, under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001.
If convicted, he faces a maximum fine of RM5 million or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
