KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak (pic) has applied for an extension of time, no later than April 25, to file an appeal petition with the Federal Court seeking to set aside his conviction for misappropriating RM42mil in SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.

       Najib filed the application through Messrs Shafee & Co at the Federal Court on April 11.

       According to his supporting affidavit released to the media on Monday (April 18), the former prime minister said the grounds of the judgment prepared by the judges of the Court of Appeal contained 176 volumes in total and the defence only received them on March 31.

       "It is impossible for my defence team to study all the records of appeals and prepare a complete appeal petition in such a short time to address all issues raised by the Court of Appeal judges.

       "The grounds of judgment should be scrutinised by examining the notes ... at both stages of the proceedings to ensure accuracy in the findings, inferences made and applicable laws,” said the Pekan MP.

       On Dec 8, the Court of Appeal upheld Najib’s conviction and 12-year jail sentence as well as a RM210mil fine for misappropriating RM42mil belonging to SRC International.

       Judges Datuk Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, Datuk Has Zanah Mehat and Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera unanimously dismissed Najib’s appeal against the High Court’s July 28, 2020 decision.

       Najib then filed an appeal at the Federal Court. – Bernama