KUALA LUMPUR: By this time tomorrow, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak could be at home to serve the remainder of his six-year sentence under house arrest.
However, this is contingent on the High Court ruling in his favour this morning regarding his legal bid to enforce a purported royal addendum.
The former Umno president, currently serving time for his SRC International case, filed a judicial review last April to enforce a purported royal addendum allowing him to serve the remainder of his term at his residence.
Judge Alice Loke is scheduled to deliver her judgment at 9am. A decision in Najib’s favour could see him released immediately to his home in Jalan Langgak Duta.
However, a source from the Attorney-General’s Chambers said the prosecution would appeal if the court rules for Najib, a move that could potentially stall his release.
Najib’s lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, told a press conference on Thursday that while the AGC could appeal, it should not be able to delay his client’s release.
The senior lawyer said the case involves the liberty of his client, who has been incarcerated at Kajang Prison since the Federal Court dismissed his final appeal in 2022. He said Najib must be allowed to return home without unnecessary delay.
Najib’s legal challenges continue this week, with the High Court set to deliver its verdict on Friday in his corruption trial involving the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds.
If convicted on those charges and presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah denies a stay of execution, Najib would be required to return to prison immediately.
A stay of execution temporarily suspends a sentence pending appeal. To obtain one, a convicted party must demonstrate valid grounds for the court to exercise its discretion.
Najib is currently serving his term in Kajang Prison after being convicted of misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
In the separate 1MDB case, the former Pekan member of parliament faces four charges of power abuse and 21 counts of money laundering.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
