New judge to be assigned to Najib's CBT case
Rahmat Khairulrijal
New Straits Times27 July 2018
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s case involving criminal breach of trust and abuse of power will be heard before a new proceedings judge next month.
Sources close to the judiciary said Judge Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak, who recorded Najib’s plea, would be transferred to a new civil court effective August 1.
“It is routine that judges are transferred to another court,” sources said.
It was previously reported that Mohd Sofian was the brother of Umno Pahang state executive member Datuk Seri Mohd Sofi Razak.
Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali will replace Mohd Sofian at High Court 3.
Another source also confirmed the matter, saying that Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim had signed the transfer letter earlier this week.
“However, I cannot confirm whether it (the transfer order) was related to Najib’s case,” source said.
An attempt by NST to meet Mohd Sofian in chambers proved futile.
Earlier, Malaysian Bar president George Varughese said Mohd Sofian should recuse himself (to hear Najib’s case) in the interest of justice after the media reported that he was the younger brother of a prominent Umno leader in Pahang.
“The Bar believes that such a disclosure was necessary to preserve the integrity of the proceedings before him and to avoid any real danger of bias. The judge’s failure to do so has unfortunately raised serious questions about the propriety of him continuing to preside over the case,” he was quoted as saying.
On July 4, Najib, who is Pekan Member of Parliament, claimed trial on three counts of criminal breach of trust and another charge of abuse of power involving RM42 million linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Mohd Sofian set the bail at RM1 million with two sureties.
He ordered Najib to surrender both his passports to court.
The case was fixed for case management on Aug 8. © New Straits Times
Rahmat Khairulrijal
New Straits Times27 July 2018
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s case involving criminal breach of trust and abuse of power will be heard before a new proceedings judge next month.
Sources close to the judiciary said Judge Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak, who recorded Najib’s plea, would be transferred to a new civil court effective August 1.
“It is routine that judges are transferred to another court,” sources said.
It was previously reported that Mohd Sofian was the brother of Umno Pahang state executive member Datuk Seri Mohd Sofi Razak.
Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali will replace Mohd Sofian at High Court 3.
Another source also confirmed the matter, saying that Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim had signed the transfer letter earlier this week.
“However, I cannot confirm whether it (the transfer order) was related to Najib’s case,” source said.
An attempt by NST to meet Mohd Sofian in chambers proved futile.
Earlier, Malaysian Bar president George Varughese said Mohd Sofian should recuse himself (to hear Najib’s case) in the interest of justice after the media reported that he was the younger brother of a prominent Umno leader in Pahang.
“The Bar believes that such a disclosure was necessary to preserve the integrity of the proceedings before him and to avoid any real danger of bias. The judge’s failure to do so has unfortunately raised serious questions about the propriety of him continuing to preside over the case,” he was quoted as saying.
On July 4, Najib, who is Pekan Member of Parliament, claimed trial on three counts of criminal breach of trust and another charge of abuse of power involving RM42 million linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Mohd Sofian set the bail at RM1 million with two sureties.
He ordered Najib to surrender both his passports to court.
The case was fixed for case management on Aug 8. © New Straits Times
