Govt respects Najib's right to appeal his sentence

SRC TRIAL | Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today said that he understood the feelings and sentiments of his comrades about the High Court's verdict on Najib Abdul Razak's SRC International trial.

"However, I must stress that the Perikatan Nasional government always upholds the rule of law," he said in a statement this evening.

Earlier today, the Kuala Lumpur High Court sentenced Najib (photo above, left) to a 12-year concurrent prison term and a RM210 fine for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving RM42 million in funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd.

The defence, led by Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, succeeded in applying for a stay of execution on both the jail term and fine pending an appeal.

Several Umno leaders expressed sympathy to Najib while other figures said that "the justice has been served".

Coincidentally, on the same date today (July 28), almost five years ago, the then Prime Minister Najib had sacked Muhyiddin as then deputy prime minister allegedly due to his critical remarks regarding the 1MDB scandal.

Muhyiddin went on to form a splinter party with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and ousted Najib's BN government from power in the 2018 general election.

Mahathir's Pakatan Harapan government lasted for only 22 months after Muhyiddin pulled Bersatu out of Harapan in February this year and joined forces with PKR defectors, BN, PAS, GPS, PBS and Star to form the new PN government.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said the government respected Najib's right to appeal the sentence.

"Let's together give space for the law process (to take its place) to ensure that justice is upheld," he said.

Following Najib's conviction, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the party would convene a meeting and make a political decision on the party's direction.

Related reports:

More Umno leaders express sympathy to Najib

Appeal process on SRC verdict may take another year, says prosecution

Khairy’s views are his own, says Najib

Attempts made to discredit Nazlan's impartiality after SRC ruling

Najib sentenced to 12-year concurrent prison term, RM210m fine

Zahid: Umno to make 'political decision' in response to Najib's conviction

I ensured fairer, gentler society – Najib's speech from the dock

Najib guilty of all seven charges related to SRC International

SRC case: Defence requests mitigation to be heard on Monday

SRC verdict justice for M'sians, say politicians, journos who exposed 1MDB scandal

Vindication for S'wak Report editor after 'devastating' verdict against Najib

Judge, prosecutor make history with conviction of former PM

'This is wrong!' -'Bossku' supporters rage against guilty court verdict

Cops remind Najib's supporters to adhere to Covid-19 SOP

SOPs disregarded: Health DG 'saddened' by lack of self-control at court complex

Muhyiddin 'smiles the widest' at Najib's SRC verdict, claims Puad

MP complains of Covid-19 risk in Parliament after colleagues join Najib rally

Return voters' mandate, reform institutions - Harapan after SRC verdict

LIVE | Najib recites 'sumpah laknat' again, denies knowledge of RM42m

More Umno leaders express sympathy to Najib

Appeal process on SRC verdict may take another year, says prosecution

Khairy’s views are his own, says Najib

Attempts made to discredit judge's impartiality after SRC ruling