Deed to Najib’s Jalan Langgak Duta mansion offered as collateral for bail

KUALA LUMPUR (July 4): Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s lawyer Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah was reported to have proposed the use of the deed to his client’s mansion on Jalan Langgak Duta as collateral for the bail amount instead of cash.

The former PM of Malaysia faced four charges in relation to embezzlement of funds belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

The prosecution team, led by Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, had requested bail of RM1 million for each charge.

Najib's defence team in return asked that bail for the former premier to be set at RM500,000-RM800,000, and for it to be satisfied with the deed of his residence along Jalan Langgak Duta.

The request, said Shafee, was made considering Najib's bank accounts have been frozen amid ongoing investigations.

Thomas, in response, argued: “Look at it from the constitution and perspective of public interests and courts. How my learned friend downplayed the RM42 million charge which the whole world has known. This has brought shame to the country.”

Thomas also said that Shafee’s proposal was impractical. “Why should the prosecution be saddled with the practical difficulties?” the Malay Mail reported him as saying.

It is understood that High Court judge Datuk Mohd Sofian Abdul Razak has allowed bail at RM1 million cash for all charges, with his two passports to be surrendered to court.

The bail is to be paid in two tranches — RM500,000 today and the balance by 3pm Monday, July 9.