Latest news with #Muniandy
![[UPDATED] Najib walks free but not cleared in RM27mil SRC 2.0 case [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Najib walks free but not cleared in RM27mil SRC 2.0 case [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) over three money laundering charges involving RM27 million linked to SRC International Bhd. 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. DNAA is when a court releases a person from charges without fully clearing them, meaning they can still be prosecuted for the same offense later. Muniandy, when reading his judgment, said the prosecution failed to show that they can proceed with the trial in the near future as documents necessary to support the charges have yet to be procured, gathered, and served on the defence. The court said the deputy public prosecutor also confirmed that the prosecution would not be prejudiced if a DNAA were granted, as they can pursue the case once they are ready. "This case against the accused person has been pending in this court for a period of six years since the year 2019 and not an iota of witness testimony has been pursued with but only a plethora of postponements indicating that the prosecution is not ready with the prosecution of the case. "Once the accused is charged in court, the charge cannot be hanging over his head for an indeterminate or indefinite period. That would be harsh and illegal. "There is nothing to show that the prosecution able to proceed with the case for the time being or proceed within a reasonable time. "Thus, it is unlikely that the case could be prosecuted expeditiously in the short future.," he said. Muniandy said once the accused is charged in court, he is entitled to due process of the law and must be accorded access to swift justice. "The process of the court is abused by the myriads of postponements and the case is still in the court system waiting to be disposed since 2019 when the court is ever ready to hear and determine the case in its entirely. "This court is also mindful of the prevailing fact that the preferred charges against the accused dates to offences alleged to have been committed in 2014, now it is 2025, and the case has not taken off for trial. "By virtue of those factors, the most appropriate order is for this court to discharge the accused person without acquitting him, so that he is not saddled with the charges preferred against him. "There is no prejudice to the prosecution with the discharge which in common parlance is referred to as DNAA, as it could still pursue with the case once it is ready to do," he added. On Feb 3, 2019, Najib claimed trial to three charges of money laundering involving RM27 million, allegedly received through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, AmBank Group Building, Jalan Raja Chulan, on July 8, 2014. He was charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM5 million, up to five years' imprisonment, or both upon conviction. The former Umno president is currently serving a jail term in Kajang Prison for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds. On Sept 2, 2022, he filed a petition for a royal pardon. On Jan 29 this year, the Pardons Board halved his jail sentence from 12 to six years and reduced his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
![[UPDATED] Najib walks free but not cleared in RM27mil SRC case](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fphoto_2025-06-20_10-27-02_1750386519.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Najib walks free but not cleared in RM27mil SRC case
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) over three money laundering charges involving RM27 million linked to SRC International Bhd. 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. DNAA is when a court releases a person from charges without fully clearing them, meaning they can still be prosecuted for the same offense later. Muniandy, when reading his judgment, said the prosecution failed to show that they can proceed with the trial in the near future as documents necessary to support the charges have yet to be procured, gathered, and served on the defence. The court said the deputy public prosecutor also confirmed that the prosecution would not be prejudiced if a DNAA were granted, as they can pursue the case once they are ready. "This case against the accused person has been pending in this court for a period of six years since the year 2019 and not an iota of witness testimony has been pursued with but only a plethora of postponements indicating that the prosecution is not ready with the prosecution of the case. "Once the accused is charged in court, the charge cannot be hanging over his head for an indeterminate or indefinite period. That would be harsh and illegal. "There is nothing to show that the prosecution able to proceed with the case for the time being or proceed within a reasonable time. "Thus, it is unlikely that the case could be prosecuted expeditiously in the short future.," he said. Muniandy said once the accused is charged in court, he is entitled to due process of the law and must be accorded access to swift justice. "The process of the court is abused by the myriads of postponements and the case is still in the court system waiting to be disposed since 2019 when the court is ever ready to hear and determine the case in its entirely. "This court is also mindful of the prevailing fact that the preferred charges against the accused dates to offences alleged to have been committed in 2014, now it is 2025, and the case has not taken off for trial. "By virtue of those factors, the most appropriate order is for this court to discharge the accused person without acquitting him, so that he is not saddled with the charges preferred against him. "There is no prejudice to the prosecution with the discharge which in common parlance is referred to as DNAA, as it could still pursue with the case once it is ready to do," he added. On Feb 3, 2019, Najib claimed trial to three charges of money laundering involving RM27 million, allegedly received through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, AmBank Group Building, Jalan Raja Chulan, on July 8, 2014. He was charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM5 million, up to five years' imprisonment, or both upon conviction. The former Umno president is currently serving a jail term in Kajang Prison for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds. On Sept 2, 2022, he filed a petition for a royal pardon. On Jan 29 this year, the Pardons Board halved his jail sentence from 12 to six years and reduced his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Over RM4mil in 1MDB-linked funds in Swiss bank account recovered by MACC
PETALING JAYA: Over RM4mil traced to a Swiss bank account and linked to the embezzlement of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds was successfully recovered recently by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). The commission said in a statement on Friday (June 13) that the sum of USD954,299.58 found in a BSI bank account was returned to the Malaysian government. The MACC said the forfeiture was granted by High Court judge Muniandy Kannyappan on learning from the prosecution that no objections or claims were made by any party in relation to the funds during proceedings at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Friday. The commission said judge Muniandy allowed the funds, which were in a bank account registered in the name of Derivale Limited and named one Azlin bin Alias as the beneficiary, to be forfeited to the Malaysian government through the MACC. The forfeiture was made under Section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001). The case was also the MACC's first success in recovering overseas assets without resorting to the process of prosecution. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Nissan Navara driver jailed 6 months instead of 30 days after High Court reviews sentence
KUALA LUMPUR: The driver of a Nissan Navara involved in a collision with a motorcycle near the Duta Toll Plaza on May 10 will now be behind bars for six months instead of the previously sentenced 30 days. This came after High Court judge K. Muniandy reviewed the magistrate's court's 30-day sentence and increased the jail term against car accessories salesman K. Darmaraju, 32. Muniandy, however, maintained the RM12,000 fine as well as the five-year suspension of his driving license as imposed by the magistrate's court. On May 13, magistrate Khairunnisak Hassni sentenced Darmaraju to 30 days jail from his arrest on May 11 and imposed a RM12,000 fine, in default 12-months imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty to reckless driving on the North-South Expressway towards the city centre at 2.30pm on May 10. Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman today submitted that the 30-day jail term and the RM12,000 fine did not reflect the aim of the law amendments and the commitment of the parliament to protect the rights and safety of road users. "The RM12,000 has already been paid by the accused. The 30-day jail term passes in the blink of an eye, compared to the victims who suffer permanent disability and are dependent on their family's help and hospital treatment. "For the court's information, Suhailiza Shamsudin (who was riding pillion) is still being treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to bleeding in her head. "The failure of the magistrate to consider the public interest in this case has led to public criticism, with calls for heavier penalties and stricter action to be taken against the driver of the Nissan Navara. "The prosecution seeks a deterrent sentence to serve as a lesson not only to the accused but to the public who intend to commit the same act. "This case should serve as a reminder to the public on the risks, impact and consequences of driving recklessly, and public interest should be emphasised in such cases," he said. Sabri had told the court to consider Darmaraju's reckless driving as he had driven at high speed and dangerously overtook the motorcycle, which was going straight on the left most lane. He said the accused had immediately left the location without stopping. "As a result of the collision, the rider, Faizal Mat,53, suffered a fractured collarbone and a laceration to the ankle while Suhailiza, 49, who was riding pillion, suffered bleeding in the head, a broken ankle and a fractured right rib. "They were brought to the Sungai Buloh Hospital. This clearly showed the great impact of the accused's driving at high speed at the time," he said. Sabri also said an eye-witness had confirmed Darmaraju's reckless driving as seen in a one-minute dashcam video of the incident, which clearly showed him ramming the right side of the motorcycle, which caused Faizal to lose control of his machine while Suhailiza fell off the machine. The prosecutor said Darmaraju had disregarded the safety of other road users. "The offence by the accused had not only caused property losses, but there were two victims who were affected by the accused's reckless driving. "The commitment to preserve the safety of motorists can be seen in the long imprisonment and high fine as provided in Section 42 of the Road Transport Act. "This shows the commitment of the parliament to protect the rights of road users and to deter inhumane acts against one another," said Sabri. Lawyer S. Vinesh, who represented Darmaraju, requested the High Court not to interfere with the decision made by the magistrate's court. Lawyer T. Daneish also represented Darmaraju, while deputy public prosecutor Harvind Raja Gopal appeared alongside Sabri.
The Star
01-05-2025
- The Star
Man who killed own parents had no disorder, court told
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here was told that an unemployed man, who pleaded guilty to murdering his parents, was sane when he committed the offence. Deputy public prosecutor Izalina Abdullah told judge K. Muniandy that based on a psychiatric medical report from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Ipoh, dated Feb 7, 2025, she was of the opinion that Afendi Muhammad Agus @ Muhamed Ali Omar, 44, did not suffer from any mental disorder and that at the time of the incident on Dec 9, 2023, the man was sane. 'The accused was aware of the nature and consequences of his actions and was able to know that the actions were wrong and against the law. 'The accused's mental state was stable on the date this report was written. 'The accused is fit to be brought to court for trial and is capable of defending himself,' said Izalina during the case mention proceedings yesterday, Bernama reported. Judge Muniandy set May 20 for the facts and sentence. On Nov 27 last year, Judge Muniandy had ordered Afendi to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to ensure the accused was sane when pleading guilty on Sept 6, 2024 and that he had also done it voluntarily. Afendi is charged with murdering Muhammad Agus@Muhamed Ali Omar, 82, and Darlisma Njatu Saleh, 72, at a house in Kampung Sungai Penchala here at 7.10pm and 7.20pm on Dec 9, 2023. The charges were brought under Section 302 of the Penal Code which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years, as well as not less than 12 strokes of the cane, if convicted. Previously, the media reported that the bodies of an elderly couple were found in the living room of their residence with several stab wounds after a fight between the man and his parents.
