Jan 13 ruling on Najib's bid to revive RM1.9m suit against Thomas

The Court of Appeal has set Jan 13 next year to deliver its decision on former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's appeal to reinstate his RM1.9 million lawsuit against former attorney-general Tommy Thomas.

Counsel Harel Nieryan, when contacted by Bernama, confirmed the date was fixed during a case management session on Oct 15 before Court of Appeal deputy registrar Khainur Aleeza Ismail.

Harel assisted lead counsel Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin and Yudistra Darma Dorai during the appeal hearing.

On Oct 7, a three-member bench comprising Justices Ravinthran N Paramaguru, Wong Kian Kheong and Nadzarin Wok Nordin reserved judgment after hearing submissions from both parties.

Firoz and Yudistra appeared for the appellant (Najib), while Alan Andrian Gomez represented the respondent (Thomas).

Najib is appealing the High Court's Nov 25, 2022, decision to strike out his lawsuit, which alleges that Thomas committed misfeasance in public office in relation to his prosecution of Najib in the 1MDB case.

In his statement of claim, Najib alleged that Thomas acted with malice in preferring charges against him concerning the 1MDB and International Petroleum Investment Company cases.

The charges in the underlying prosecution included abuse of power under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 and several counts of money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Thomas held the office of the attorney-general from June 4, 2018, to Feb 28, 2020.

Najib seeks, inter alia, a declaratory judgment that Thomas committed the tort of misfeasance in public office.

He is also claiming special damages of RM1.9 million, comprising costs incurred for engaging an audit team to review documentation and prepare his defence for the criminal proceedings.

- Bernama

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