CSO Platform urges institutional reforms after Najib's DNAA

Summary

• The CSO Platform for Reform urges institutional reforms following High Court’s decision to grant DNAA to Najib.

• The civil society coalition reiterates its demand for an independent MACC and the separation of roles between the attorney-general and public prosecutor from the Prime Minister’s Office.

• The group calls for respect for the rights to freedom of assembly, including this weekend’s Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 in Kota Kinabalu.

The CSO Platform for Reform has renewed its call for an independent MACC, free from political influence, in the wake of the High Court’s decision to grant former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).

The civil society coalition also reiterated its demand to separate the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor from the Prime Minister’s Office, saying such a move would help “reinforce the integrity of prosecutorial decisions”.

This followed the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s ruling to temporarily release Najib from three money laundering charges related to SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

“The court cited lengthy delays in the trial, partly due to the prosecution’s unreadiness, as the basis for the DNAA. But this reflects broader issues about the pace and effectiveness of corruption trials in Malaysia,” the group said in a statement.

A DNAA means the accused is discharged from the charges without being acquitted, allowing the prosecution to reinstate the case at a later date.

In delivering the ruling, High Court judge K Muniandy noted that the case, which has been pending since 2019, had yet to see a single witness called, and was marred by repeated postponements — an indication that the prosecution was not ready to proceed.

While Najib remains in prison on separate charges also linked to SRC International, the CSO Platform warned that the DNAA ruling could deepen public scepticism over the administration of justice and reinforce perceptions of impunity among the politically powerful.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), in a statement yesterday, said it “did not have any other choice” but to await the conclusion of Najib’s 1MDB and first SRC International trials before proceeding with the second SRC International case, due to overlapping documents.

The AGC also denied accusations of conducting a “flawed prosecution”.

Take stronger stance on corruption

The CSO Platform urged all levels of government to take a stronger anti-corruption stance to foster “a transparent and accountable governance system that truly serves the people”.

“Corruption remains a widespread issue affecting all regions of the country, posing a serious threat to the health and stability of our democratic system.

“We stand firmly in support of all individuals and groups who courageously speak out against injustice and hold those in power accountable,” it added, expressing solidarity with a student-led anti-corruption rally scheduled to take place in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, this weekend.

Sabah police have confirmed receiving a notification from Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally organisers under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, and said the event will be allowed to proceed subject to restrictions under other laws, including those related to offensive speeches.

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