PUTRAJAYA: Holding so many positions in the government, Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was pushed to commit several offences.
Lead prosecutor Datuk V. Sithambaram told the Federal Court, Najib committed several offences because of his various roles in the government. The Pekan MP was wearing many hats. He was Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Minister of Finance Inc (MOF Inc) and advisor emeritus of SRC.
“The criminal intention of the appellant is executed by the appellant wearing different hats.
“It is the mens rea (criminal intent) of the appellant in executing the criminal intent in various capacities that enabled the appellant to commit the seven offences charged.
“No artificial demarcation of the role of the appellant in various capacities should be entertained, as it is the appellant’s sole intention to commit crimes in the varied roles played by him in the country’s administration and in SRC,” the Star quoted the prosecutor as saying during his submissions in Najib’s final SRC appeal here on Thursday (Aug 18).
Najib was found guilty of seven defences in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case. He is appealing against this conviction.
Sithambaram added evidence clearly showed that Najib had arranged the affairs of SRC, whereby he was entrusted with its assets and properties.
“This occurred when he assumed the role of prime minister from the formation of SRC when he issued shareholders instructions that had to be followed by the SRC board of directors (BOD).
“His role was formalised by assuming the title of advisor emeritus to entrench his commanding position in SRC, which enabled him to direct the SRC BOD as its master,” he said.
Source: The Star
