Adjournment disallowed, Najib’s SRC appeal resumes next week

(Free Malaysia Today) – The Federal Court will proceed to hear Najib Razak’s SRC International appeal according to the dates set for next week.

Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat reiterated that there will be no adjournment of the case.

“We will proceed as scheduled and you (lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik) will remain on record,” she said, after Hisyam requested for the hearing slated for Tuesday and Wednesday to be adjourned.

The request was made in the midst of the hearing when ad hoc prosecutor V Sithambaram was arguing for the prosecution.

The court previously fixed 10 days – from Aug 15 to 26 – to hear Najib’s appeal.

Earlier this week, it rejected the defence’s request to adjourn the appeal hearing by “three to four months” to give them more time to prepare.

Hisyam took over the case last month from Najib’s former lead counsel, Shafee Abdullah. Law firm Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew & Partners were also appointed Najib’s solicitors in place of Shafee & Co.

Yesterday, Hisyam sought to discharge himself from the case due to the lack of time to prepare, but this was also dismissed.

Earlier today, he informed the court that Najib had discharged Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew & Partners from representing him in his appeal.

In July 2020, Najib was convicted on seven charges of abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust over SRC International funds amounting to RM42 million. His conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal on Dec 8, 2021.

The appellate court also upheld his 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine.