KUALA LUMPUR: The Court of Appeal has rejected an application by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who sought to defer the Dec 8 decision date in his appeal involving the RM42mil SRC International Sdn Bhd case.

       In a letter signed by deputy registrar Mohd Khairi Haron, it was stated that Najib's application dated Nov 23 was "rejected".

       "Therefore, please ensure that all parties are present at the Court of Appeal on the fixed date," the letter said.

       A source has confirmed that the prosecution has received the letter.

       On Tuesday (Nov 23), Bernama reported that the Pekan MP applied to push the decision date to a later date as he would be undergoing self-quarantine upon his return from Singapore.

       According to a document from law firm Messrs Shafee & Co that was sent to the Registrar of the Court of Appeal, it was stated that Najib would be in Singapore until Dec 5.

       "The applicant (Najib) humbly wishes to apply for the date to be vacated and the date for the decision fixed the following week, namely from Dec 13 to Dec 17, or any other dates the court thinks suitable,” it said.

       According to the document, upon his return from Singapore on Dec 5, Najib would be required to undergo self-quarantine for seven days until Dec 12 and could only attend court or public gatherings from Dec 13.

       The document also stated that the prosecution team had been informed of the matter and it had not raised any objections for the rescheduling.

       Najib made the application to postpone the decision following a statement by the Chief Registrar's Office, also issued yesterday.

       In the statement, the Chief Registrar's Office said that decision in the SRC International case has been fixed for 9am on Dec 8 at the Court of Appeal.

       On July 28 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court sentenced Najib to a total of 12 years in jail and a total fine of RM210mil after he was found guilty of seven charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of position in the RM42mil SRC International case.

       Najib is appealing the conviction and sentence.