KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah has clarified that Datuk Seri Najib Razak is not seeking forgiveness in his quest for a royal pardon. Instead, he contends that Najib was denied the opportunity for a fair trial in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case.
Shafee, who serves as the former prime minister’s legal counsel, insisted that the royal pardon application submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is distinct and unprecedented.
This application does not stem from Najib’s admission of guilt or remorse but rather from the fact that Najib’s lawyer, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, never had the chance to present his case in the federal court on August 23.
He explained that Najib’s case in the SRC matter was never actually heard by the federal court due to Hisyam’s appointment just two to three weeks before the trial, leaving him insufficient time for preparation.
“After Hisyam’s application to postpone the hearing (for three to four months) was rejected, the Attorney-General had then given a chance for the respondent’s prosecutor to present their case.
“Think about this. This is extremely odd. It is illogical. The Attorney-General invited the respondent to respond, but respond to what when the appeal was never heard?
“Not only that this is against the unjust, but it is also against the current legal system and justice procedure that we have,” he said during the ‘Townhall for Justice – Keadilan Sebenarnya untuk Siapa? (who is justice really for?)’ programme held here yesterday.
Shafee also disclosed that a petition with similar content to the royal pardon application was submitted to the United Nations panel on arbitrary detention committee in February of this year.
He cited the unfair, biased, and prejudiced handling of the case by the national justice system as the reason for this additional action.
“This UN committee consists of legal specialists, the best in the world,” he said.
The case is currently under examination in Geneva, with a decision expected before the end of this year. This decision, serving as an advisory opinion from the UN, could potentially provide the grounds for a retrial of the SRC International case.
“Though it is not compulsory (to follow the committee’s decision), what is the use of use being part of the UN if we don’t listen to the UN’s opinion?” he asked.
Najib was convicted in July 2020 on charges related to abuse of power, money laundering, and criminal breach of trust involving SRC International funds totaling RM42 million. He received a 12-year prison sentence and a RM210 million fine. – October 1, 2023