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Kuala Lumpur — Friday , Malaysian prosecutors say they are aware that former Prime Minister Najib Razak received funds from "illegal activities" in his opposition to a final bid to overturn his 12-year prison sentence for corruption. concluded their argument by stating:
Najib's lawyers refused to take the case in court this week, citing insufficient time to prepare. They had submitted written arguments before proceedings began.
It is unclear how federal courts will proceed when they reopen on Tuesday. It may issue a verdict or set a new date for its decision.
Najib, 69, was found in a lower court in July 2020 on charges of illegally receiving approximately $10 million from the former unit of state for breach of trust, abuse of power, and He was found guilty of abuse, and money laundering. Fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Prosecutors say about $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB, co-founded by Prime Minister Najib in 2009, sparking a widespread scandal involving officials and financial institutions around the world.
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Last year, an appeals court upheld Najib's conviction, but the former prime minister appealed again to the federal courts, which this week began proceedings on his final appeal.
Najib, who is facing several trials over the allegations, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyers argued in lower court that Najib had been misled by his 1MDB officials.
Najib "knew, had reason to believe, or had reasonable suspicion that the money received in his bank account was the proceeds of an illegal activity." ,” said V. Sitambaram, his chief prosecutor. court.
Najib had replaced his legal team just three weeks before his appeal opened on Monday.
After the prosecution concluded its arguments, Supreme Court Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat again asked Najib's lawyer, his Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, to start filing on Tuesday.
Hisham refused.
Najib and Hisyam declined to comment after the day's proceedings.
(reported by Rozanna Latiff, edited by Raissa Kasolowsky)
