PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (pic) will file an appeal petition on Monday (April 25) to set aside his conviction for misappropriating RM42mil in SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.

       This followed a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of the apex court, led by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, in allowing Najib’s application for an extension of time no later than Monday to file the petition.

       The other two judges on the bench were Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan and Datuk Mary Lim Thiam Suan.

       The matter was confirmed by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul after the online hearing of the application.

       "For the application (by Najib) for the extension of time to file the petition of appeal, the unanimous decision (is given) by the Federal Court to grant the extension from April 11.

       "The applicant (Najib) is to file the petition of appeal for the SRC main appeal by April 25,” Mohd Ashrof told reporters after the hearing.

       On April 11, the Pekan MP through Messrs Shafee & Co applied for an extension of time to file the appeal petition.

       According to his supporting affidavit, Najib 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 (documents) 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,” he said.

       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.

       Judge Datuk Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, who presided with 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