Najib remains Pekan MP pending review of Federal Court verdict, says speaker

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun today confirmed receipt of additional documents on Najib Razak's application for a review of the Federal Court's decision to uphold his conviction and sentence, reiterating that the former prime minister remains as Pekan MP until this bid and his petition for a pardon are settled. 

In a statement, Azhar said he had received a letter from Najib's lawyers Messrs Shafee & Co dated Sept 7 regarding the request for a review of the court's decision.

He said he had also received a copy of another letter from the law firm dated Sept 6, stating the apex court's receipt of the review application. 

"Taking into account the petition for a pardon made before this, as well as the application above, Najib's status as Pekan MP at this time does not change.

"It will only be finalised once both the petition for pardon and the review are completed," he said. 

The Federal Court on Aug 23 dismissed Najib's final appeal against his conviction and 12-year jail term for the misappropriation of RM42 million in SRC International funds. 

The conviction and sentence, imposed by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 28, 2020, were also upheld by the Court of Appeal on Dec 8, 2021.

In his application for a review of the top court's decision, Najib is asking that its move to dismiss his application to recuse Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, along with its decision on Aug 16 dismissing his application to adduce additional information and the disqualification of judge Mohd Nazlan Ghazali in the High Court trial, be set aside.

Najib, who is currently serving his sentence in Kajang Prison, is also seeking a stay of execution of his conviction and sentence pending the hearing of his review application.