KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has failed in his bid to stay his 15-year jail sentence and RM11.4 billion fine in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case pending his appeal.
High Court judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin dismissed the former prime minister's application today after hearing submissions from the defence and prosecution.
Najib, 73, had sought the stay on several grounds, including his deteriorating health and the total fines of approximately RM13.47 billion imposed on him for the offences, while the prosecution argued that he had failed to establish special or exceptional circumstances to justify the application.
On Dec 26 last year, Najib was convicted of four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.27 billion in 1MDB funds. He was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment and fined approximately RM13.47 billion.
The prison sentences were ordered to run concurrently but would only begin after he completed his existing sentence in the SRC International case. Najib has appealed against both his conviction and sentence.
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