Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and former Public Bank clerk Johari Mohamad have been ordered by the Shah Alam Sessions Court to enter their defence to the charges under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act (Bafia).

Sessions judge Zamri Bakar said after maximum evaluation he was satisfied that the prosecution has established a prima facie case by fulfilling all the elements.

"The prosecution has successfully proved a prima facie case against both accused and they are called to enter their defence," Zamri said.

A total of 19 witnesses have testified for the prosecution in the case.

Rafizi and Johari stand to face a maximum of three years in jail or an RM3 million fine if convicted.

Rafizi was represented by Ahmad Nizam Hamid while Latheefa Koya appeared for Johari. Deputy public prosecutors Lailawati Ali and Steve Chin appeared for the prosecution.

Both Rafizi and Johari said they would give sworn testimonies in their defence from the witness stand.

Zamri also noted that this is a 2012 case and wanted the case to be disposed of quickly.

He asked the lawyers to accommodate this and vacate the case from the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court.

The court decided to hold the hearing for the defence on Dec 4, 7 and 8.

Rafizi, who is also PKR vice-president, and Johari were charged in 2012 under Section 97 of Bafia for the disclosure of four accounts linked to National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd and its chairperson Mohd Salleh Ismail.

Although the Act was repealed in 2013, the PKR vice-president’s charges under Bafia still stand.

Commenting on the haste in court to fix the hearing dates, Rafizi (standing left) said members of the public could see for themselves that the judge was under pressure from his boss.

He said that should not be the case, as prior to Zamri, there were four other Sessions Court judges who had heard the case and neither the defence nor prosecution could not be faulted for the delay.

Rafizi added that he even changed lawyers at one point.

"Justice must be done and seen to be done," he said, adding that he also had exhausted all the available avenues as he tried to challenge the constitutionality of the charge.

Rafizi urged those higher up to stop pressuring the court, as it would leave a bad impression on the public.

"I know this is a ‘high profile’ case but you should not pressure the court as it not only affects the court but also the lawyers who have their clients to represent in other cases," he said.

"Even the suit by (Prime Minister) Najib Abdul Razak and Rosmah Mansor filed against me has not gone to trial although I have been waiting for some time," he said.