Najib's Taman Duta Mansion Was Offered As Bail Because He Can't Afford To Pay RM4 Million
His lawyer, Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah, proposed this to the High Court judge earlier today.
By Jia Vern Tham — 04 Jul 2018, 03:10 PM
Lawyer of detained former Prime Minister Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah said today, 4 July, that Datuk Seri Najib Razak would be willing to hand over the deed to his mansion because the latter cannot afford a RM4 million bail
Shafee offered Najib's mansion in Taman Duta, Kuala Lumpur, as part of the surety as all of Najib's bank accounts have been frozen, according to Malaysiakini.
His suggestion came after the prosecution, led by Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, requested for Najib's bail to be set at RM4 million.
Najib appeared before High Court judge Datuk Mohd Sofian Abdul Razak earlier today, and pleaded not guilty to all four charges read out to him.
Shafee also objected to the RM4 million bail amount as it was "too high" for Najib
"My client, through his children and wife, have to ask around from their relatives to raise money," Shafee was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini in court, before adding that the amount of money Najib's family has is not close to RM4 million.
Instead, Shafee asked for the bail to be set between RM500,000 to RM800,000 with two sureties for all four charges handed to Najib.
However, Shafee's offers of Najib's mansion and bail amount was shot down by Tommy Thomas, who called them "impractical"
"Why should the prosecution be saddled with the practical difficulties?" Tommy Thomas was quoted as asking in court by Malay Mail.
Justice Sofian Abdul Razak subsequently set Najib's bail at RM1 million for all four charges with two sureties. Najib was also ordered to surrender both his passports.
However, Shafee said Najib is only able to pay RM500,000 today.
"By Monday (9 July), I will endeavour to get another RM500,000," the lawyer told the court.