Charges of money laundering in connection with 1MDB case against former Prime Minister Najib Razak are withdrawn by Malaysia.
In a surprising turn of events, Malaysia's High Court has discharged former Prime Minister Najib Razak from three money laundering charges linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.However, this discharge does not equate to acquittal as the prosecution can re-file the charges if they deem fit.
Najib has been in prison since August 2022, convicted of corruption and money laundering over funds misappropriated from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB. He is still facing court proceedings for the 1MDB case, with closing arguments expected in October 2023.
Despite the recent discharge, Najib's legal team emphasizes that he still remains in prison, not acquitted of the underlying offenses. This discharge came due to the prolonged procedural delays by the prosecution, which had been ongoing for six years.
Najib's legal battles don't end here. He has also been fighting for house arrest, claiming a royal Addendum Order allows him to serve the rest of his sentence at home. This Addendum, dated January 29, 2024, was reportedly addressed to the then Attorney General Tan Sri Ahmad Terengganu for execution.
Najib's legal team has accused the former Attorney General of contempt of court, alleging that he concealed and failed to act on the Addendum Order, misleading the court about its validity. A court hearing related to this Addendum is scheduled for June 18, 2025, indicating that the legal deliberations about Najib's house arrest bid are ongoing.
An alternative route for Najib's release might be through parole applications, with his lawyer suggesting possible applications in September or October 2025.
Amid these complex legal and procedural developments, Najib's bid for house arrest remains unresolved, prompting speculation and tension in Malaysian politics. Stay tuned for updates on this intriguing chapter in Malaysian history.
[Source: our website.com]
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Enrichment Insights
- Najib Razak's house arrest bid is on hold due to legal obstacles and disputes over a royal Addendum Order.
- Despite being discharged from certain money laundering charges due to procedural delays, Najib remains in prison and is not acquitted of the underlying offenses.
- Najib's legal team has accused the former Attorney General of contempt of court for allegedly concealing and failing to act on the royal Addendum Order.
- A court hearing related to the Addendum is scheduled for June 18, 2025, and Najib might consider parole applications as an alternative to house arrest.
The discharge of former Prime Minister Najib Razak from certain money laundering charges has not alleviated his legal troubles, as he remains in prison, not acquitted of the underlying offenses. The controversy surrounding his house arrest bid continues, with a court hearing regarding a royal Addendum Order scheduled for June 18, 2025, and possible parole applications in September or October 2025. This intricate legal saga is significant in the arena of policy-and-legislation, general-news, and crime-and-justice in Malaysia.
