PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that he is surprised by Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s reaction to being ordered by the Kuala Lumpur High Court to enter his defence for all charges in his SRC International trial, on Monday.
“I am shocked (that) he is shocked,” said Dr Mahathir, adding that the decision was made after many months of deliberation and according to the rule of law, Bernama reported.
The Prime Minister added that Najib has had a fair hearing and is free on bail – even making time to participate in ongoing campaigning for the Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election.
“He had sore eyes (and was not able to attend his trial), but when (it came to) campaigning (in Tanjung Piai, he seemed) okay.
“All this nonsense you get from him… because we are being lenient and we follow the rule of law,” Dr Mahathir added.
The Prime Minister made his comments at a news conference after chairing a Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Supreme Council meeting here, yesterday. Dr Mahathir is also chairman of Bersatu.
Lead counsel in Najib’s defence team, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, told the media on Monday that his client was shocked by the court’s decision, as he had expected to be acquitted of all charges.
In a highly-anticipated announcement, the KL High Court ordered Najib to enter his defence on all seven charges of abusing his position for gratification, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd’s funds.