The High Court Judge In Najib's Case Is Brother Of An UMNO Pahang Strongman
Najib, the High Court judge and his brother, all are from Pahang.
By Sadho Ram — 05 Jul 2018, 06:37 PM
Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak, the presiding High Court Judge in Najib Razak's case, is closely related to UMNO Pahang strongman
Judge Mohd Sofian is the younger brother of UMNO Pahang state executive council member Datuk Seri Mohd Soffi Abdul Razak, who is a five-term Benta state assemblyman and a four-time state exco member, reported The Star Online.
Incidentally, the former prime minister, Najib, who is Pekan MP, hails from Pahang.
The Malaysian Judiciary's website shows that Mohd Sofian was appointed as the Judicial Commissioner on 1 September 2005, and two years later in September 2007, he was appointed as the High Court Judge of Kuala Lumpur.
However, this reportedly wasn't known to Attorney-General (A-G) Tommy Thomas, who is leading the prosecution against Najib
"This is the first time I heard about this," A-G Thomas was quoted as saying after he was informed that the High Court judge in the proceeding yesterday, Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak, is the brother of Umno Pahang state executive member.
After Najib was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust and one charge of abuse of power, A-G Thomas asked for his bail to be set at RM4 million, however, Judge Sofian set it at RM1 million
The High Court Judge also agreed for the RM1 million bail payment to be made in two instalments, with Najib allowed to go after paying the first instalment, RM500,000.
Judge Mohd Sofian also allowed the gag order sought by Najib's defence, effectively barring media, both digital and newspaper, from discussing the merits of the case.
The gag order on media, however, is being challenged by the Attorney-General, who said that it goes against the right of free speech.