PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal here has dismissed appeals by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his son Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin against a High Court's decision to enter a summary judgment over RM1.69bil and RM37.6mil respectively of their tax arrears.

       In the unanimous decision, a three-man panel chaired by Justice Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil said they found no merit in the appeals and the High Court judge did not commit any error that could warrant the appellate court's intervention.

       The panel also ordered RM10,000 as to costs for each appellant.

       Other judges on the bench were Justices Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera and Supang Lian.

       The panel had earlier heard submissions from both parties during online proceedings via Zoom on Thursday (Sept 9).

       Lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah also asked for the court to allow an interim stay of the effect on the decision as his clients wanted to appeal the decision at the Federal Court.

       Justice Abdul Karim allowed the stay application on the condition that the notice of appeal would be filed by Tuesday (Sept 14).

       Najib and his son were appealing against summary judgments granted by the High Court in relation to their tax suits.

       On July 22, last year, a High Court ordered Najib to pay RM1.69bil in tax arrears Mohd Nazifuddin was ordered to pay RM37.6mil.

       A summary judgment is when a court makes a decision without going to a full trial.

       More to come