SRC verdict a huge victory for the people, says Pakatan Harapan

KUALA LUMPUR (July 28): Pakatan Harapan has declared the High Court's verdict that Datuk Seri Najib Razak was guilty on all seven charges of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd a huge victory for the people.

"The judicial process would not have stated if the people had not risen to give Pakatan Harapan a win and defeat Barisan Nasional in the 14th general elections [GE14]," said the coalition's presidential council in a joint statement signed off by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohammad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

They added that the mismanagement of 1Malaysia Development Bhd — the troubled sovereign wealth fund which was previously the parent of SRC — was first brought up in Parliament by Anwar in 2011.

"The presidential council thanks all parties involved in the process, including the former Attorney-General [Tan Sri Tommy Thomas] who started the legal process," they added.

They also urged all Malaysians to scrutinise the judgement made by the High Court today.

"The presidential council is of the opinion a thorough institutional reformation must be undertaken to ensure that the political climate that has enabled the rot and damage wrought during Barisan Nasional's administration does not return. This can only be done by returning the people's mandate," they said.

Meanwhile, during a press conference at Parliament, Datuk Johari Abdul (PH-Sungai Petani) said this issue has been brought up year after year by many MPs prior to the election, although the then Barisan Nasional (BN) government trivialised it.

"We thank the court and judge Mohd Nazlan Ghazali, who has proven the independence of the judiciary. We as MPs are relieved that our fight in this issue has not been driven by baseless accusations but rather based on facts," he said.

Charles Santiago (PH-Klang) said if PH did not win GE14, this matter would not have been brought to court, adding that PH's mandate is slowly being realised despite it not being the government.

"The decision by Nazlan showed that the Malaysian courts will not allow corporate capture. This is a major statement," he said.

He explained that corporate capture is a move where a businessman acts in concert with a politician to acquire the wealth of the government, and said that this was what Najib and fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, had done.

Datuk Liew Vui Keong (PH-Batu Sapi) said Najib's eligibility to remain as a member of Parliament will be an issue that the ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition has to deal with.

However, SN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) elaborated that PH MPs do not have the right to insist that Najib vacates his seat.

"He still has the right to appeal and pending the outcome, he can still exercise his duties to Parliament," he said.

Najib has held the Pekan seat in Pahang since 1986.

Meanwhile, Santiago said to "not get too excited as we don't know what's going to happen in the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court".

"This is Malaysia after all," he said.

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