Prosecution to apply for Najib’s case to be tried in November

KUALA LUMPUR (July 6): The prosecution team that has pressed charges of criminal breach of trust and abuse of power against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (pictured) will apply for the trial date to be fixed in November this year, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AG) said.

Commenting on media coverage of Najib’s indictment on Wednesday, the AG pointed out that the High Court did not fix any trial dates then but only indicated when it could possibly be decided.

“Firstly, the High Court did not fix any trial dates. The High Court actually only indicated, based on the calendar of the learnt High Court judge, when the possible free dates for trial could be. The High Court made it clear that the trial dates would only be fixed after the next mention in court, which is on Aug 8, 2018,” the AG said in a statement.The prosecution team will make its application on the trial date on Aug 8 as well, it said.

“Secondly, trial dates in complex and document-heavy white-collar crimes are rarely fixed on the date of charge, which represents the first appearance by the parties in court, and the prosecution is not expected to serve documents on that day also. The relevant documents will be served on the defence before commencement of trial,” the AG said.

On Wednesday, the High Court suggested tentative trial dates of Feb 18 to 28, March 4 to 8, and March 11 to 15 next year.

On the gag order on public discussion of Najib’s case, the AG noted that it was issued by the High Court upon oral application by the defence counsel.

AG said the order is only interim in nature. “A formal written application by the defence, supported by affidavits stating the exact nature and extent of the ‘gag’ order, is fixed for hearing on Aug 8, 2018. The prosecution team will oppose that application,” it said.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on July 6, 2018.

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