While serving his 12-year prison sentence, Najib Razak is also attending a trial for another case. Just today (March 3), Najib was acquitted of the 1MDB audit tampering charge.
Despite being freed from the charge, that does not mean he is free to leave prison. The former Prime Minister will still serve his 12-year prison sentence for embezzling the funds of SRC International Sdn Bhd, as reported by South China Morning Post.
Najib’s co-accused, former 1MDB chief Arul Kanda Kandasamy, was also freed from the charge.
Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan made the decision after finding that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against Najib and Arul Kanda. The latter was also freed and released from the charge because the evidence he gave as a prosecution witness in August last year was true and comprehensive.
Najib was charged on December 12, 2018, for using his position to order amendments to be made to 1MDB’s Final Audit Report before it was presented to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
It was done to avoid any actions from being taken against him.
Arul, on the other hand, was accused of being Najib’s accomplice in making the amendment to protect him from disciplinary, civil, or criminal actions related to 1MDB, reported Berita Harian.
The court ruling this morning may have eased the pressure on Najib, but the former PM is still facing dozens more charges, which could lengthen his stay in prison.
His acquittal from the tampering charge does not affect his current jail sentence.
Also read: “Everything we do is wrong” – Najib Says BN Will Face The Blame Whatever it Decides
