The daughter of Malaysia’s first convicted former prime minister this morning expressed her disappointment over her father’s guilty verdict, adding that the fight for him continues.
Her online reaction comes a day after Najib Razak was found guilty of all seven charges involving the transfer of US$10 million from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad subsidiary to his personal bank account. Hours later, he was sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million.
“This is not the end guys. We are disappointed but we don’t quit,” Nooryana Najwa Najib, 33, wrote on Instagram.
According to her, she had bailed her dad out with RM1 million – an amount that was set by High Court judge Nazlan Mohd – and promised to respond to supporters online.
Najib was found guilty of all seven charges involving misappropriated funds totaling RM42 million (US$10 million) from SRC International Sdn Bhd, which is a subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB.
The former prime minister was guilty on one count of abuse of power, three counts of criminal breach of trust, and three counts of money laundering.
Hours after the verdict was delivered, Najib was sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million (US$50 million) for abuse of power.
Each criminal breach of trust and money laundering charge carries a 10-year jail sentence. All the jail sentences are to run concurrently.
Najib is still allowed to appeal his sentencing.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday he respected Najib’s right to make the appeal.
“The government respects Datuk Seri Najib’s right to appeal the sentence set by the high court,” the statement said. “Let us give room to the process of the law so that justice is served.”
Thousands of Najib’s supporters had flocked to the High Court yesterday in a show of support amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic without practicing social distancing. This drew the ire of Health Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah.
“Every day, the Ministry of Health never fails to remind Malaysians to abide by safe distancing measures of at least one meter, wear a face mask, and wash their hands frequently. It is sad to see such a situation without self-control,” the 57-year-old wrote in a tweet.
Sudah terang lagi bersuluh setiap hari Kementerian Kesihatan mengingatkan rakyat Malaysia untuk patuh kepada SOP untuk penjarakan selamat sekurang-kurangnya 1 meter, memakai pelitup separuh muka dan kerap cuci tangan. Sedih bila melihat keadaan begini tiada kawalan kendiri.
— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) July 28, 2020
Malaysia recorded 39 new COVID-19 infections yesterday, bringing the total number of infections to 8,943. The death toll stands at 124.
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