Najib's Lawyer Wanted To Pay Only 10% Of The RM5 Million Bail Demanded By Prosecution
Bail has been set at RM3.5 million by Justice Azura Alwi.
By Jia Vern Tham — 20 Sep 2018, 06:15 PM
Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah, lawyer of former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak suggested a RM500,000 bail for his client today with two sureties, contrasting the RM5 million demand from lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram
Malaysiakini reported Shafee as claiming that the bail amount should not be "punitive", before adding that Najib's passports have already been surrendered.
However, Sri Ram argued against the RM500,000 bail suggestion, saying that the amount should not be a "mockery".
"This case involves the man (then) holding highest office in the executive of the country and he faces serious charges and he must realise the severity of the offence and (also so) the public may know," Sri Ram argued.
"It is not correct to say RM500,000 would suffice due to the amount stated in the charges," the lead prosecutor added.
Charged under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFA), the prosecution argued that Najib should not have been granted bail
Free Malaysia Today reported deputy public prosecutor Akram Garib as saying that the offences Najib were charged with are non-bailable according to the Criminal Procedure Code.
Nonetheless, the prosecution came to the conclusion that the bail amount should be set at RM5 million if the court agrees to grant bail for Najib.
Justice Azura Alwi eventually fixed the bail for Najib at RM3.5 million, and allowed him to walk free
Shafee then promised the court that RM1 million will be paid tomorrow, 21 September, and RM500,000 for every other day until 28 September.
Prior to today, Najib has paid a RM1 million bail for his last seven charges.