PM: Najib's DNAA solely a judicial matter
PUCHONG: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to grant a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the SRC International case is solely a judicial matter.
"That is the judge's decision and the Attorney General's. I do not interfere," said the Prime Minister after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Kampung Seri Aman on Friday (June 20).
Earlier, Judge K Muniandy allowed the defence's application for a DNAA over three money laundering charges involving RM27mil from SRC International Sdn Bhd, citing the prosecution's lack of preparedness to proceed with the trial, which has been postponed numerous times since 2019.
The court was informed that the prosecution had yet to obtain the necessary documentary evidence.
The delay, the judge noted, had denied the accused the right to a fair and timely resolution of the case.
A DNAA means the accused is temporarily discharged from the charges but may still be prosecuted for the same offences in the future if the prosecution so decides. – Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
33 minutes ago
- The Star
PM Anwar records his appreciation to Razarudin
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his appreciation to former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain for his service, contributions, and leadership during his tenure heading the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). In a Facebook post on Friday (June 20), Anwar stated that he conveyed this during a farewell courtesy call from Razarudin. "I pray that Tan Sri Razarudin continues to be blessed with good health and the strength to continue contributing to the nation in any capacity. Thank you for your very meaningful service to the people and the country," he said. Razarudin, who joined PDRM in 1982, was appointed as the 14th IGP for a two-year contract after his retirement, effective June 23, 2023, and will conclude his service this Sunday. Throughout his career, Razarudin held several important positions, including Head of Penang Criminal Investigation Department in 2016, Deputy Commissioner of Sabah Police (2016), Deputy Chief Police Officer of Perak (2018), Chief Police Officer of Perak (2019), Director of Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (2020), and Deputy Inspector-General of Police (2021). Earlier, Bukit Aman Special Branch Director Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail was appointed as the 15th IGP, replacing Razarudin, effective Friday.- Bernama
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Najib's DNAA: Material documents unavailable because held up in 1MDB trial, says AGC
PETALING JAYA: All aspects will be examined and considered before taking any further action on the temporary discharge of Datuk Seri Najib Razak three counts of money laundering involving RM27mil linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd, says the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC). The AGC said there were some documents which were material for the current SRC International trial, and the prosecution had no choice but to wait until the relevant material documents were obtained after the 1MDB trial proceedings were completed. "It should be emphasised that the material documents are already available but are being used as evidence in the ongoing 1MDB trial," the AGC said in a statement on Friday (June 20). "The prosecution has requested time to gather all relevant material documents to be presented as evidence and testimony in the second SRC trial. This delay is not intentional but is to ensure that the integrity of the documents as evidence in the trial is always maintained. "The department is aware that this case has attracted public attention as it involves the former prime minister of Malaysia and throughout the proceedings before the Court, the department has taken action in accordance with the limits of the independence of the prosecution and the legal process. "The case was registered at the High Court on Feb 7, 2019 and has been set for trial five times in June 2020, July to August 2021, March to April 2022, September 2024 and April and May 2025." It said all trial dates of the case have been postponed for the following reasons: (i) Movement control order due to the Covid-19 pandemic; (ii) Application by the accused's counsel; or (iii) The prosecution's own application. The application for adjournment made by the prosecution is because (i) The trial proceedings of the first SRC case were still ongoing at that time at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court levels until fully completed on March 31, 2023; (ii) At the same time, the 1MDB trial proceedings had also begun while the first SRC case was still pending. Both cases above involved the use of some of the material documents that would be used in the second SRC trial. "This department emphasises that the allegations by certain parties that this department carries out "defective prosecution" are completely unfounded. This department always maintains the highest level and quality in line with the expectations of the people. "This department remains committed to upholding the rule of law and will continue to carry out its responsibilities under the Federal Constitution with integrity, fairness and respect for the judicial process," it said. Earlier, Judge K Muniandy allowed the defence's application for a DNAA over three money laundering charges involving RM27mil from SRC International Sdn Bhd, citing the prosecution's lack of preparedness to proceed with the trial, which has been postponed numerous times since 2019. The court was informed that the prosecution had yet to obtain the necessary documentary evidence. The delay, the judge noted, had denied the accused the right to a fair and timely resolution of the case. A DNAA means the accused is temporarily discharged from the charges but may still be prosecuted for the same offences in the future if the prosecution so decides.
Focus Malaysia
2 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Social protection programmes key to poverty reduction
MALAYSIA has stepped up efforts to reduce poverty in recent years through targeted social protection programmes, particularly those aimed at the B40 income category. However, the effectiveness and breadth of these programmes are called into question since growing living expenses continue to strain all income levels, including M40. The B40 in Malaysia's social protection environment Targeted assistance for the Bottom 40% (B40) income group is the central tenet of Malaysia's approach to reducing poverty. Programmes like Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH), Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR), and the more recent measures unveiled in Budget 2025 aim to help low-income households cope with the rising cost of living. These initiatives provide needy families short-term financial relief through subsidies, housing assistance and cash help. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) statistics, however, show that although these programmes provide short-term respite, they cannot significantly improve families' long-term economic standing. A recent report from DOSM states that the average income of B40 has increased by only 1.5% per year, which is not enough to keep up with inflation. Many people still have limited purchasing power as a result, particularly given the sharp increase in the price of food and housing. As such, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has underlined the government's will to address these problems, promising to lower costs and increase accessibility to necessities to ease financial burdens. Critics contend that monetary distributions could not alleviate underlying economic inequities despite these guarantees. 'Malaysia's B40 will continue to face an uphill struggle against poverty without structural reforms in education, employment, and wage policies,' one economist noted. Global social protection models: Achievements and insights for Malaysia Various social protection regimes worldwide have successfully reduced poverty, particularly when multifaceted and sustainable approaches are used. One programme generally commended for decreasing severe poverty is Brazil's Bolsa Família, which goes beyond cash transfers by requiring families to comply with health and education standards. This strategy has broken the cycle of inter-generational poverty, which has had a profoundly positive effect. Another practical example is the Basic Livelihood Security Program (BLSP) in South Korea, which combines financial help with housing assistance, skill development, and job support. By linking financial aid to social services and job training, the BLSP has decreased poverty rates and enhanced recipients' capacity to find steady work, encouraging long-term independence. South Korea's strategy emphasises the necessity of a comprehensive social safety net that fosters employment and skill development. Similarly, the European Union's 'Active Inclusion' approach supports beneficiaries by combining labour market reforms with social protection, offering financial assistance and work placements. Malaysian approach gaps: Going beyond financial aid Though Malaysia's B40 initiatives offer much-needed financial assistance, they don't have the same cohesive structure as nations like Brazil and South Korea. Due to the lack of a multifaceted strategy, B40 beneficiaries' ability to achieve economic independence is restricted. The main drawback is that Malaysia's social security system primarily uses short-term financial assistance to combat poverty rather than focusing on long-term empowerment initiatives. On the other hand, effective schemes, such as the BLSP in South Korea, strongly emphasise developing human capital, providing work opportunities and skill training to recipients as part of their social benefits. Another gap is the availability of affordable housing. Although Malaysian authorities have started projects to provide inexpensive housing, they are frequently focused in metropolitan areas where demand outpaces supply, underserving rural and peri-urban locations. Future directions for Malaysia: Establishing a Comprehensive social safety system Motivated by South Kore's BLSP and Brazil's Bolsa Família, Malaysia might benefit from implementing a more all-encompassing strategy that incorporates job assistance and skill development to improve the efficacy of social security. Working with social services and career development programmes might pave the way for the B40 to become resilient and financially independent. Furthermore, prioritising accessible education and universal healthcare will guarantee that fundamental necessities are satisfied, lessening the financial burden on low-income households. These steps would align with international best practices, calling governments to establish safety nets that do more than alleviate acute misery. Finally, increasing social protection in underprivileged regions might improve living conditions for low-income people in rural and urban areas, addressing regional disparity concerns. When Malaysia prepares for Budget 2025, adding these components might turn the B40 support system into a cornerstone for long-term, sustainable poverty alleviation. Using holistic reform to close the gap A move towards a more integrated strategy might enhance results for the B40 and beyond as Malaysia's social protection programmes continue to develop. As demonstrated by international examples, providing routes to education, work, and self-sufficiency is necessary to reduce poverty effectively. If these all-inclusive models are emulated, all Malaysians might gain from the country's progress, which could help Malaysia close the gap in economic inequality. ‒ June 20, 2025 The author is the Director of the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Bernama
