TMR

KUALA LUMPUR — The High Court here today granted Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (picture) a stay of execution on the payment of USD 1.3 billion awarded to SRC International Sdn Bhd, pending his appeal against the court’s March ruling.

Judge Datuk Ahmad Fairuz Zainol Abidin, now a Court of Appeal judge, ruled that special circumstances justified the stay.

These included the substantial size of the sum awarded against a single individual, the precedent of a stay granted in Najib’s tax case involving RM 1.69 billion, and the fines imposed on him in his criminal cases.

“The factors relevant for consideration are the unprecedented magnitude of the monetary judgment entered against the defendant, the concurrence of equally unprecedented monetary judgment against the defendant in the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) suit, and the criminal liabilities which attract monetary penalties.

“These simultaneous judgments and orders faced by the defendant, when taken together, make up special circumstances on why a stay is to be granted. 

“It is best that the case be finally determined at the highest level before any enforcement is allowed,” the judge said.

During a proceeding via Zoom today, Justice Ahmad Fairuz ordered Najib to pay RM2 million in costs to SRC International and RM150,000 each to five third-party defendants named in the suit.

In its March ruling, the court did not specify the costs Najib owes to SRC International and the five third-party defendants he added to the case.

The third-party defendants were former directors Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, Datuk Suboh Md Yassin, Datuk Mohamed Azhar Osman Khairuddin, Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi and Datuk Che Abdullah @ Rashidi Che Omar

The matter was confirmed by SRC International’s counsel, Luc Choong, following the proceedings.  

On March 31, the court ruled that Najib is liable for SRC International’s USD1.3 billion losses after finding that he had breached his fiduciary duties, abused his position and misappropriated the company’s funds for personal gain.

Justice Ahmad Fairuz, in allowing the company’s USD1.18 billion lawsuit against the former premier, ordered Najib to pay the amount, in addition to USD120 million that he had received from the company into his AmPrivate banking account ending 694, hence bringing the total to USD1.3 billion.

The court also dismissed his claims against the third-party defendants with costs, ruling that, having exercised control over the company, Najib could not subsequently shift liability onto the very individuals he directed merely because they formally executed his decisions.

SRC sued Najib in May 2021, alleging breach of fiduciary duties, abuse of power and misappropriation of company funds for personal gain. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has tightened its standard operating procedures (SOPs) for large-scale convoy assignments to prevent a recurrence of the fatal accident involving a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) truck in Teluk Intan, Perak, last year.

Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the improvements place particular emphasis on compliance with SOPs by all personnel while carrying out their duties.

“We have made numerous improvements and tightened SOPs for operations, especially those involving large convoys, and I believe that with the stricter procedures, we can reduce accidents not only during duty assignments but also while on the road,” he said.

He said this when met by reporters after the closing ceremony of the PDRM Special Dialogue V (PSD V) 2026 at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) here today.

In addition, Mohd Khalid said the PDRM is also continuously upgrading FRU logistics and equipment through procuring new vehicles funded by government allocations. 

“At the same time, we have received allocations from the government to enhance equipment and logistics, including new vehicles. I believe this will give greater motivation to all PDRM personnel,” he said.

He also assured that the welfare of the families of those involved in the crash remains a priority, including the provision of assistance and insurance coverage.

“Alhamdulillah, so far, all forms of assistance and insurance claims have been carried out properly and smoothly. If there are any shortcomings, the families may contact their respective state police chiefs,” he said.

In the incident on May 13 last year, nine FRU personnel were killed while another nine were injured after the truck they were travelling in was rammed by a gravel-laden lorry on Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam at about 8.50 am.

The FRU personnel were on their way back to Ipoh after completing duties under Ops Chariot in Teluk Intan. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — Police are continuing investigations into fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, said Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail (picture).

He said the case remained under police attention and action despite reports claiming that Jho Low was seeking a pardon from United States President Donald Trump.

“This issue is still at the stage of ongoing investigations. I view matters like this as rather sensitive to discuss,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the PDRM Special Dialogue V 2026 here today.

Mohd Khalid said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) was also maintaining good relations with the relevant countries in efforts to continue investigations into the case.

“We are still pursuing action as before and maintaining good relations with the countries concerned. The matter remains under our attention and action,” he said.

International media reported that Low, who was accused by the US of masterminding one of the biggest financial frauds in history, had reportedly filed a pardon request with Trump several weeks ago.

According to the report, if the application was approved, it would drop the US criminal charges against Low.

The report also stated that the US Department of Justice website listed a pending application for a “Pardon after Completion of Sentence” under the name “Taek Jho Low”, filed this year.

Low was charged in 2018 over the misappropriation of about US$4.5 billion (RM17.7 billion) in funds from 1Malaysia Development Berhad, but remains at large and wanted by authorities. — BERNAMA

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SEREMBAN — Negeri Sembilan police have busted illegal electronic waste (e-waste) processing operations, with seized items estimated to be worth more than RM47 million, following separate raids on three factory premises in the district over the past two months.

Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said the raids, conducted under Ops Waste, were the result of continuous intelligence gathering by police and related agencies.

He said one raid was carried out at an industrial premises in Nilai on April 15, while two others were conducted in Kuala Sawah on May 6.

During the Nilai raid, two local men, aged 43 and 37, believed to be caretakers of the premises, were detained to assist in investigations. No arrests were made during the Kuala Sawah operations.

“The Department of Environment (DOE) seized suspected e-waste materials and 39 machines, with the total value estimated at more than RM47.637 million. They also detected three offences under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Amendment) 2024,” he said at a press conference here today. 

Also present was Negeri Sembilan DOE director Abdul Aziz Parmin.

Alzafny said the Seremban City Council (MBS) also issued compounds under Section 53(1), Section 55(1) of the Advertisement By-Laws and Section 81(K), and ordered all three premises to cease operations immediately for operating without valid approvals and licences.

He said the integrated operation involved the Internal Security and Public Order Department of the Negeri Sembilan Police Contingent Headquarters, the Negeri Sembilan DOE, Seremban City Council and the Negeri Sembilan office of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.

Police and the relevant agencies will continue monitoring and intelligence operations to curb illegal e-waste processing activities, which could threaten public safety, public health and the environment, he said.

In a separate development, Alzafny said police would continue monitoring social media for comments containing elements of provocation, incitement or interference that could disrupt public order in the state in relation to the ongoing crisis in Negeri Sembilan.

He said police are finalising investigation papers to be submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office for further action. — BERNAMA

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NEW DELHI — Disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, amid growing concerns over supply chain resilience and economic sustainability, are expected to be among the hot topics of discussions at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting that will take place here on May 14 and 15.

Malaysian High Commissioner to India Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa said the current instability in the Middle East and wider geopolitical tensions were closely linked to the agenda of the BRICS open session themed “BRICS@2.0: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.

“I believe there will also be, not to say discussion, but a statement by different countries on the global situation that we are currently in, especially in the current situation in the Middle East.

“We can see how this conflict has affected many countries in many ways, in terms of supply chain disruptions,” he told reporters in a briefing here today.

The High Commissioner said disruptions involving critical global trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz could have far-reaching implications for the global economy and geopolitical stability, and BRICS aimed to promote a more inclusive and sustainable resilience in terms of the supply chains. 

“I think this is also an important role by BRICS members, who are, you can see, also a major player in the global affairs,” he said.

Muzafar Shah said that although BRICS is not a permanent organisation such as the United Nations, its members and partner countries could use the platform to exchange views and seek common understanding in addressing global disruptions.

“Any understanding at the BRICS level would also, I think, give a future direction in terms of how we want to address these global issues such as the Middle East conflict,” he said.

BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, represents a major share of the global population and economy, encompassing approximately 3.87 billion people, or around 48.8 per cent of the global population.

As of 2025, the collective gross domestic product (GDP) of BRICS member countries is projected at approximately USD32 trillion, representing around 28.5 per cent of global output.

Malaysia, together with Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan have become BRICS Partner Countries starting Jan 1, 2025, while Nigeria obtained BRICS Partner Country status on Jan 17 and Vietnam on June 13, the same year. — BERNAMA

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