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Najib told to file defence in suit over election spending
Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak addresses the nation in a National Day message in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Aug
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Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak addresses the nation in a National Day message in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Aug. 30. (AP) (AP)
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span class="inline inline-center">Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak addresses the nation in a National Day message in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Aug. 30. (AP)
The high court has instructed Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak to reply to a suit by the opposition over allegations of ruling coalition Barisan Nasional's overspending during its 13th general election campaign.
At a hearing in chambers, deputy registrar Norfauzani Mohd Nordin instructed Najib to file his statement of defence before October 1.
The suit, initiated by a group of opposition politicians, also named Barisan secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and the Election Commission (EC) as defendants.
The registrar also told other defendants to reply, giving a deadline of September 14 for 1MDB and the EC and September 15 for Tengku Adnan.
Najib's lawyer Choo Shi Jiu told reporters his client had yet to be served the statement of claim by the Opposition, thus the longer deadline for him to reply his defence.
Norfauzani also instructed the opposition members to serve Najib the documents.
The registrar fixed October 9 for next case maÂnagement before judicial commissioner Mohd Zaki Wahab.
The suit follows the revelation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission that a 2.6 billion ringgit (US$613,800) donation that was channelled into Najib's account was for a political fund to help Barisan in the 13th general election.
The suit was filed by People's Justice Party (PKR) adviser Anwar Ibrahim, PKR vice-presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar and Tian Chua, PKR election director Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad of Gerakan Harapan Baru group.
They are seeking to question if overspending occurred, which would be in violation to EC spending limits.
The suit also sought to have the results of the 13th general election nullified with all 222 parliamentary seats vacated and fresh elections held.
Speaking at the World Capital Markets Symposium here earlier, Najib surprised many when he publicly spoke about his 'crisis' with his fiercest critic, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, saying he had never imagined that the former prime minister would be so critical of him and his administration.
Najib said the former prime minister's attacks against him were unexpected.
'Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that my predecessor is against me in this manner. But he is no longer the prime minister so he shouldn't take centre stage,' said Najib.
While the prime minister did not mention Dr Mahathir in his speech, it was obvious that he was referring to the elder statesman.
Dr Mahathir has been highly critical of Najib in the past months over many issues, particularly on the controversial 1MDB.
His appearance at the Bersih 4 rally over last weekend was seen by many as the clearest signal yet of his stand against Najib's administration.
On the economy, Najib said the newly set up Special Economic Committee had began its work to look into measures to strengthen the economy. (++++)
