Latest news with #RM42mil
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Anwar ready to explain addendum issue if needed
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is ready to meet with Umno division leaders to explain the issue involving the enforcement of the royal addendum concerning the house arrest of former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The Prime Minister acknowledged that over two-thirds of Umno division leaders had raised the matter on Thursday, which called for the immediate enforcement of the royal addendum. 'Firstly, this matter has been referred to the courts and I do not go above the courts over this. 'I have also informed the Umno president and its leadership that I am ready to meet with them to explain if needed, to preserve the harmony (between parties in the coalition),' Anwar said after performing Friday prayers at a mosque in Putrajaya yesterday. In a late-night media conference, Wangsa Maju Umno division chief Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Shafei Abdullah announced that 160 out of 191 Umno divisions urged Anwar to facilitate Najib's transition from Kajang Prison to house arrest without further delay. Najib is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for misusing RM42mil of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds. Mohd Shafei said the Pahang palace confirmed the addendum's existence in a letter dated Jan 4, alongside the Court of Appeal's verdict on Jan 6. On a separate matter, Anwar also said it was still too early to comment on the proposed appointment of American conservative figure Nick Adams as the United States Ambassador to Malaysia. 'It is still too early, we follow the process. The government will surely give consideration (to public views) and also preserve the dignity as well as the good relations between Malaysia and the United States,' he added.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
PM ready to explain addendum issue to Umno division leaders
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is ready to meet with Umno division leaders to offer an explanation over the issue involving the enforcement of the royal addendum concerning the house arrest for former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Anwar acknowledged that over two-thirds of Umno division leaders had raised the matter in a late Thursday (July 17) night meeting, calling for the immediate enforcement of the royal addendum. 'Firstly, this matter is referred to the courts and I do not go above the courts in this matter. 'I have also informed the Umno president and its leadership that I am ready to meet with them to explain if needed, in order to preserve the harmony (between parties in the coalition),' said Anwar after performing Friday prayers at a mosque in Putrajaya on Friday (July 18). In a late-night media conference, Wangsa Maju Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Shafei Abdullah announced that 160 out of 191 Umno divisions are urging Anwar to facilitate Najib's transition from Kajang Prison to avoid house arrest without further delay. Najib is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for misusing RM42mil of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds. Mohd Shafei said the Pahang palace confirmed the addendum's existence in a letter dated Jan 4, alongside the Court of Appeal's verdict on Jan 6.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysian Bar praises appointment of Justice Wan Ahmad Farid as Chief Justice
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Bar has commended the announcement of Court of Appeal judge Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the new Chief Justice, highlighting his commitment to judicial independence. Bar president Mohamad Ezri b Abdul Wahab (pic) recalled a 2022 case where Justice Wan Ahmad Farid recused himself from a high-profile matter involving the admission of Queen's Counsel Jonathan Laidlaw in a case concerning former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. In June 2022, Justice Wan Ahmad Farid stepped down from hearing the application by Laidlaw, who intended to represent Najib in his final appeal regarding the misappropriation of RM42mil belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd. Justice Wan Ahmad Farid had recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest, as a family member was an active politician in the same party as Najib. He emphasised the importance of maintaining public confidence in the judiciary, stating, "The public perception of the independence of the judiciary should not be put in doubt," and reminded all that "an independent judiciary is a precious gift to any society." Mohamad Ezri noted that these statements reflect a deep understanding of the judiciary's sacred role in upholding the rule of law. "We hope that under the stewardship of these new judicial office bearers, the judiciary will continue to uphold the highest standards of independence, integrity, and service to the nation, reaching greater heights," he said. The Bar also congratulated Justice Datuk Abu Bakar Jais on his appointment as the Court of Appeal president and Justice Datuk Azizah Nawawi as the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. Despite welcoming these appointments, Mohamad Ezri expressed concern over ongoing vacancies in the Federal Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court, urging for them to be filled promptly and transparently. Veteran lawyer Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu described Justice Wan Ahmad Farid's appointment as "unprecedented" in Malaysia's judiciary, noting his experience in the High Court and Appellate Court. "Interesting times," Baljit remarked, hinting at the challenges and opportunities ahead for the new Chief Justice. The Federal Court Chief Registrar's Office confirmed on Friday (July 18) that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has approved the three judicial appointments, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for July 28.
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Abu Bakar Jais appointed as new court of appeal president
KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Court judge Datuk Abu Bakar Jais (pic) has been appointed as the new President of the Court of Appeal, replacing Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim who retired on July 3. Abu Bakar, 63, brings with him over three decades of experience in legal and judicial service. He began his judicial career as a Judicial Commissioner at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 8, 2013. He was then appointed as a High Court Judge on March 21, 2016, and served in both the Kuala Lumpur and Seremban High Courts until 2019. On Dec 5, 2019, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal, and later to the Federal Court on June 13, 2023. Born in Muar, Johor, Abu Bakar graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Universiti Malaya (1982-1986) and later obtained a Certificate in Government Legal Advisers Course from the University of London in 1996. His career spans various roles in the legal and judicial sectors, including stints as a law tutor at the International Islamic University Malaysia (1986-1987), Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Attorney General's Chambers and the Anti-Corruption Agency (1987-1990), Magistrate in Ipoh (1990), and Assistant Director at the Legal Aid Bureau (1991). Abu Bakar also served as Federal Counsel in the Civil Division of the Attorney General's Chambers (1992-1995) and as Senior Federal Counsel until 2000. In private practice, he was a litigation partner at Zaid Ibrahim & Co. (2001-2003) and later at Hisham, Sobri & Kadir (2004-2013). Abu Bakar was part of the Federal Court panel in 2023 that ruled on former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's application for a review of his conviction and 12-year prison sentence over the misappropriation of RM42mil from SRC International Sdn Bhd. He also sat on the panel that decided the appeal involving SIS Forum (Malaysia). - Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Two-thirds of Umno division leaders call for Najib to be put under house arrest
KUALA LUMPUR: Over two-thirds of Umno division leaders across the nation are calling for the immediate enforcement of the royal addendum concerning the house arrest of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. In a late-night media conference, Wangsa Maju Umno division chief Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Shafei Abdullah announced that 160 out of 191 Umno divisions are urging Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to facilitate Najib's transition from Kajang Prison to house arrest without further delay. Najib, a former Umno President, is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for misusing RM42mil of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds. Mohd Shafei highlighted that the Pahang palace confirmed the addendum's existence in a letter dated Jan 4, alongside the Court of Appeal's verdict on Jan 6. "There is no more excuse to delay the execution of the addendum," he asserted, urging the Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to support the government by withdrawing the appeal against the Jan 6 judgement. He called for all Umno divisions that have yet to hold their general meetings to pass a special resolution on this royal addendum, emphasizing the importance of party solidarity in supporting the institution of the Malay Rulers and upholding justice. He stressed that the addendum is a matter of legal sanctity, involving the Malay Rulers and justice for all, not an individual concern. "Our meeting was initiated by ourselves and is in no way an affront against the Umno President or the deputy president," he stated. Furthermore, the division leaders are demanding a Royal Commission of Inquiry into former Attorney General Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh for allegedly concealing the royal addendum, now serving as a Federal Court judge. "The act of hiding the addendum by the former AG is against a constitutional monarchy, violating principles of transparency and accountability," Mohd Shafei added, stressing that this has denied justice for Najib. On Jan 6, Najib's counsel had presented the Pahang palace's letter to the Court of Appeal, confirming Sultan Abdullah's order for house arrest. On Jan 11, Anwar acknowledged that the addendum had been received by the then AG.
