Najib given until end-May to file application for Queen’s Counsel

Najib Razak’s application to admit a Queen’s Counsel (QC) from the UK to represent him at his final appeal in the RM42 million SRC International case must be filed at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur by the end of May.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul, who confirmed the matter, said if the application was unsuccessful, the former prime minister could appeal to the Federal Court.

“Meanwhile, the hearing of the main appeal will be fixed after the conclusion of the QC application.

“The defence will write to the court to inform it of suitable dates for the QC to attend the hearing of the main appeal by April 18.

“The defence is also seeking an extension of time for the filing of a petition of the main appeal by another two weeks. However, the court instructed them (the defence) to file a formal application by April 11,” he told reporters after the online proceedings conducted before Federal Court deputy registrars Wan Fatimah Zahara Wan Yussof and Siti Hajar Mustaffa today.

On Jan 25, law firm Messrs Shafee & Co submitted a six-page letter to the secretariat of Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat on Najib’s intention to appoint a QC to assist him in complex issues and legal questions in his SRC International appeal at the apex court.

On Dec 8, 2021, the Court of Appeal upheld his conviction, 12-year jail term and RM210 million fine for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds.

Justice Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, who led a three-member bench comprising justices Has Zanah Mehat and Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera, dismissed Najib’s appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision on July 28, 2020.

Najib subsequently filed a notice of appeal to the Federal Court.