WITHOUT the presence of his attorney, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak informed the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that he was not prepared to testify in the trial of former Johor Bahru MP Tan Sri Shahrir Samad, who is facing charges of failing to declare RM1 mil allegedly received from him.
Besides, Najib is the prosecution’s 23rd witness.
“I request to testify on Jan 5, 2023 and at that time my lawyer will be present because it is important for my lawyer to be with me,” Bernama reported Najib as saying.
According to Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, he could not be in court today as he was out of town.
Deputy public prosecutor Rasyidah Murni Azmi requested the court to consider the matter.
Meanwhile, lawyer Datuk Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin, representing Shahrir, did not object to it.
Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin then set Jan 5, 2023 for Najib to appear in court to testify in the case.
Moreover, the trial then resumed with the defence cross-examining the 22nd prosecution witness, MACC assistant superintendent Nurzahidah Yacop.
Shahrir is currently facing charges of money laundering for failing to declare his accurate income on the Income Tax Return Form for Assessment Year 2013 on the RM1 mil he received from Najib, which is believed to be from illicit activities.
It is a violation of Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967, according to law.
Shahrir was charged with committing the offence at IRB, Duta Branch, Government Office Complex, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim on April 25, 2014.
Furthermore, under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, the charge provides imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of RM5 mil or both, if convicted. – Dec 22, 2022
