KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak found himself in the dock again, this time to face three charges of receiving RM42 million in illegal proceeds linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Clad in a dark blue suit, the ex-premier looked calm as the charges were read out to him in the packed Sessions Court. No plea was recorded.
He was alleged to have received the monies, which were purportedly proceeds of illegal activities, at an AmIslamic Bank branch at Jalan Raja Chulan here between Dec 26, 2014, and Feb 10, 2015.
He allegedly received the proceeds via electronic transfer.
He was charged under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.
Najib faces a maximum 15 years’ jail and no less than five times the amount of proceeds involved, or a RM5 million fine, whichever is higher, if convicted.
His children, Norashman and Nooryana Najib, were seen seated directly behind the dock in the public gallery today.
Nooryana Najwa’s husband, Daniyar Kessikbayev, was also present.
Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi allowed the prosecution’s application to transfer the case to the High Court.
On July 4, Najib, who is Pekan member of Parliament, claimed trial to three counts of criminal breach of trust and another charge of abuse of power.
The four charges involved RM42 million linked to SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Today, Najib was represented by a legal team led by veteran lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
The prosecution team is comprised of deputy public prosecutors Datuk Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria, Manoj Kurup, and Datuk Suhaimi Ibrahim, among others.
Also present was lawyer Datuk K. Kumaraendran, who was holding a watching brief for Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.