Latest news with #A-GC
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
A-GC denies flawed prosecution in Najib's SRC case, cites evidence constraints
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) has refuted claims that the prosecution in the money laundering case involving funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd (SRC) was flawed. In a statement, the A-GC said it has consistently upheld the highest standards and quality in discharging its prosecutorial duties, in line with public expectations. "The A-GC 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 judicial processes," the statement read. The statement followed the High Court's decision to grant a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over three money laundering charges involving RM27 million linked to SRC. High Court Judge K. Muniandy issued the ruling today after the prosecution failed to furnish the defence with hundreds of documents related to the trial, despite the charges being filed as early as 2019. Addressing the delay in trial proceedings, the A-GC said the case, first registered at the High Court in February 2019, was postponed on five occasions due to various factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic, defence requests and applications by the prosecution itself. The A-GC said that proceedings for the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial had commenced while the first SRC case was still ongoing at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court levels. This overlap led to delays in the second SRC trial, as both cases involved the use of key material documents required for the prosecution, it said. Following this, it said, there was no choice but to wait until the documents were made available. "Both cases involved the use of certain material documents that were also intended to be used in the second SRC trial. "As the documents in question are material to the second SRC trial, the prosecution had no choice but to wait until those documents became available, which is after the 1MDB trial proceedings have concluded. "It must be emphasised that the material documents are already available but are currently being used as evidence in the ongoing 1MDB trial," it said. The A-GC also said the prosecution had requested additional time to compile all the material documents to present them as evidence in the second SRC trial.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Cops fine-tune investigation papers in alleged royal assault probe
KUANTAN: Police have completed their investigation into the alleged assault of a trader involving a member of the royal family at an entertainment venue here last month. However, district police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said the investigation papers were being refined in accordance with instructions from the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC). He said the papers were initially submitted to federal police and the A-GC on June 18, but were returned with directions to carry out several additional steps. "The department is taking the necessary action, and once completed, the investigation papers will be resubmitted to the A-GC," he said in a text message today. Meanwhile, Wan Mohd Zahari said that the three individuals detained to assist in the investigation had been released on police bail. He said that statements had been recorded from 14 individuals as part of the ongoing probe into the incident, which allegedly took place at a nightclub on Jalan Gambut on May 8. On June 13, a police report went viral, alleging that a 30-year-old trader was assaulted by a bodyguard and stabbed by a royal figure. The trader is said to have sustained injuries and lodged a police report on June 5. Wan Mohd Zahari said the case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt with a weapon, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment, a fine, whipping, or any combination thereof upon conviction. Last year, a member of the royal family was among five individuals jointly charged in a separate case for allegedly assaulting a 44-year-old man with a knife in Kuantan.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Najib gets nod to attend addendum hearing
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has allowed Datuk Seri Najib Razak's application to attend the court hearing of his judicial review challenging the existence of his house arrest order. A three-member bench led by Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim made the ruling after allowing Najib's lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah's application today. Other members of the bench were Federal Court judges Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah. Federal Counsel Ainna Sherina Saipolamin, who appeared for the Attorney-General's Chambers, did not object to the former prime minister's application. The A-GC filed the appeal after the Court of Appeal granted Najib permission to initiate a legal bid to review the existence of an addendum order and to adduce additional affidavits in support of his application. On April 28, the same court unanimously granted the A-GC's leave (permission) application to present its arguments to overturn the Court of Appeal's ruling. The top court said the proposed questions raised by Attorney-General (A-G) Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar had passed the threshold requirements for leave to be granted under Section 96 of the Courts of Judicature Act (CJA) 1964. "The questions posed are novel and raise issues of public importance, which should be further ventilated before this court. "The questions are of public importance and can provide guidance to the courts on the correct approach to adopt when dealing with the admission of or the addition of evidence. "The questions also pertain to the role of the A-G in judicial review proceedings, particularly whether the A-G is duty-bound under the law to confirm the existence of and supply copies of the impugned documents. "The applicant also seeks to argue whether the A-G has an obligation to defend or verify the evidence at the leave stage of judicial review proceedings, in light of the provisions of Order 53 of the Rules of Court 2012," said the court. The hearing is scheduled to begin on July 1. On Jan 6, a three-bench Court of Appeal panel led by Datuk Azizah Nawawi, in a split decision, also allowed Najib to adduce additional affidavits to support his application. Other members of the bench were Datuk Azhahari Kamal Ramli and Datuk Seri Mohd Firuz Jaffril. Firuz, when reading the majority decision, said the evidence concerned was not available when they (the appellant) initially filed the leave to initiate a judicial review before the High Court last year. Meanwhile, Azizah, in her minority decision, said there was no appealable error made by the lower court in ruling that the evidence presented in the hearing was hearsay. Najib claims that a royal addendum allows him to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest. He is seeking a mandamus order compelling the respondents to confirm and disclose the existence of the alleged additional document dated Jan 29, 2024. Najib is currently serving a six-year prison sentence after being convicted of misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd. The High Court had sentenced him to 12 years in prison with a fine of RM210 million, and the verdict was subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court. However, his prison sentence was halved to six years and his fine was reduced to RM50 million following his petition for a royal pardon. Najib later filed an application on an alleged addendum order signed by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest. Previously, the High Court had dismissed his application.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
A-GC appeals Yusoff Rawther's acquittal in drugs and firearms case
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) has filed a notice of appeal against the High Court's decision to acquit and discharge Muhammad Yusoff Rawther of drug trafficking and firearms-related charges. In a statement, the A-GC said the High Court's June 12 decision saw Yusoff being freed without being called to enter his defence at the end of the prosecution's case. Yusoff was charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960. "After reviewing and considering the court's decision, the A-GC filed the notice of appeal today to challenge the acquittal and discharge," it said. High Court judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin freed Yusoff from drug trafficking and possession of imitation firearms charges after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case. Jamil, in his ruling, said the evidence produced in court failed to support a reasonable conclusion that the accused had exclusive control over the vehicle or custody and control over the pistols and drugs. He said the evidence only raised suspicion and was insufficient to prove the accused's possession or control of the items. Yusoff had been accused of trafficking 305g of cannabis in a vehicle parked in front of a surau at the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters at 10.15am on Sept 6 last year. He also faced a separate charge of possessing two imitation pistols by the roadside near a condominium on Jalan Bukit Kiara at 9.25am on the same day.
New Straits Times
13-06-2025
- New Straits Times
A-GC warns public against speculation following Yusoff Rawther's acquittal
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (A-GC) has urged the public to refrain from making speculative or defamatory remarks following the High Court's decision to acquit Muhammed Yusoff Rawther of a criminal charge. A-GC in a statement today said any comments made outside the scope of the court's reasoning could undermine the integrity of the justice system. "We urge the public to refrain from making speculative or defamatory statements regarding the outcome of the case, especially if such statements fall outside the scope of the court's reasoning. "The administration of justice must not be compromised by trial by media, public insinuations, status or perception. "The A-GC is reviewing the court's decision and will consider all relevant aspects before taking any further action," it said. Yesterday, High Court judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin freed Yusoff from drug trafficking and possession of imitation firearms charges after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case. The A-GC said it respects the decision and has taken note of the reasons provided by the court. "Throughout the proceedings, the A-GC has acted within the limits of prosecutorial discretion and the legal process. "The prosecution was conducted based on a careful evaluation of the available evidence and was not influenced by any party," the statement said. The A-GC said it is now studying the court's decision and will consider all relevant aspects before deciding on any further course of action. "The A-GC 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 added. Yusoff had been accused of trafficking 305g of cannabis in a vehicle parked in front of a surau at the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters at 10.15am on Sept 6 last year. He also faced a separate charge of possessing two imitation pistols by the roadside near a condominium on Jalan Bukit Kiara at 9.25am on the same day.
