Najib loses appeal, headed to prison

 PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has lost in his final attempt to overturn the 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine for misappropriation of SRC International funds.

Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat ruled the former prime minister had failed to show how the findings of the lower courts were perverse and needed the intervention of the Apex Court.

She said the decisions of the High Court and Court of Appeal were correct. Tengku Maimun said the sentences were also not manifestly excessive.

"She then ordered the commital order to be issued.

The ruling means Najib, 69, would be taken to prison to serve out his jail sentence.

Present in court to hear the outcome were Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and family members. Also present was Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The other judges on the panel were the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, Datuk P Nallini, Datuk Mary Lim Thiam Suan and Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court had found Najib guilty of misappropriating RM42 million of SRC International funds and ordered him to be jailed for 12 years and RM210 million fine for the seven charges he faced.

He was convicted and sentenced by the then High Court Judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.

Many took to Twitter and Facebook to praise the apex court’s decision, while others posted memes and photoshopped images of Najib behind bars.

“Najib: Game over,” said Twitter user @littledaisy_77.

Many Najib detractors also “ushered” him to Sungai Buloh. “Kedalam la awak @NajibRazak,” said Twitter user @nasuhajua, while another user with the handle @dauspacito said: “Najib to Sg Buloh, here we go!”.

Many users said that the decision was akin to a Merdeka gift.

Netizens such as Twitter user @Tuahseven7 poked fun at Najib’s potential activities in Sungai Buloh prison.

However, Najib’s supporters questioned the Federal Court’s decision.

Twitter user @HakeemBahari said Malaysia’s justice system was not transparent and that Najib was a victim of slander.

“Hidup Najib,” he added.

Facebook user, Takdir Yg Terindah, urged Najib to be patient and that Allah was with him.

“We will continue your fight and all your good deeds will be remembered,” he said.

Earlier, the Federal Court upheld Najib’s conviction and sentence in the SRC International trial. Najib, who was convicted on charges of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering will now serve 12 years’ in jail and pay a RM210 million fine.

With the decision, Najib will be the first former prime minister in the country’s history to be jailed.