Shafee questions 'prolonged' silence over Leissner's extradition request

Summary

• Counsel to ex-PM Najib Abdul Razak Shafee Abdullah criticises Attorney-General’s Chambers’ silence over request to extradite former Goldman Sachs executive Tim Leissner.

• The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Putrajaya had submitted the request to the US DOJ in August 2024.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s counsel criticised the Attorney-General’s Chambers for keeping mum over its request to extradite former Goldman Sachs executive Tim Leissner over the 1MDB trial.

This comes after The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that Putrajaya had submitted the extradition request to the US Justice Department in August last year.

“It’s troubling to learn that the AGC sent an extradition request nine months ago, yet said nothing to the court, the defence or the public until a day after Najib’s defence closed.

“The prolonged silence suggests the request was withheld during critical phases of the trial, depriving the defence of information that would have been pertinent, particularly the identities of the officials Leissner admits bribing.

“If known to the defence, it would in no small measure be evidence of an exculpatory nature for Najib,” said Shafee Abdullah in a statement issued by his legal firm, Shafee & Co.

It should be noted that another Goldman Sachs’ ex-banker, Roger Ng, was extradited to Malaysia soon after he was found guilty in the US for money laundering, which landed him a 10-year jail term.

Formal complaint

Shafee (above) reminded the public that on Oct 27, 2021, Najib lodged a formal complaint with the MACC, requesting Leissner be extradited to Malaysia after his guilty plea to bribing 1MDB and government officials.

The investigating officer, Nur Aida Ariffin, admitted under cross-examination that she was unaware of what had become of the MACC report.

He added that when Najib testified on Dec 6, 2024, the ex-Pekan MP mentioned the lack of follow-up by enforcement agencies.

“On behalf of our client, we urge the AGC and the government to pursue Leissner’s extradition with genuine resolve.

“We also urge the authorities to publish a complete chronology of every step they are taking. Full transparency from both Putrajaya and Washington is vital to dispel public doubt and to prove that justice is being administered impartially, not according to political convenience.

“Najib remains ready to cooperate with any sincere effort to bring Leissner before a Malaysian court and place the whole truth before the nation,” Shafee added.

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