KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 ― The Special Sessions Court today granted a stay on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application to strike out a former Wanita Umno member’s suit against him over the RM2.6 billion deposited into his account, pending the disposal of her legal challenge against her termination from the party.
Judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab said his decision took into consideration that Umno secretary general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor's bid to strike out Anina Saadudin’s lawsuit against her sacking is closely related to the former Langkawi Umno Wanita leader's case against Najib, who is prime minister and Umno president.
“I concur with the ruling of (the judge in the other suit) that since this is considered as a special circumstance, and that the case is related, the application for stay is acceptable,” Mohd Zaki told the court today.
The hearing to strike out Anina's suit against Tengku Adnan for her allegedly unlawful termination from Umno is scheduled to take place on November 30.
Mohd Zaki set December 15 to hear Najib's application to strike out Anina's suit against him
On August 28, Anina filed a lawsuit against Najib at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, seeking to claim a US$650 million (RM2.8 billion) portion of the US$681 million said to have been donated by a friendly Middle Eastern nation to help the Malay ruling party in its 2013 election campaign.
Anina's lawyer, Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah, said they are prepared for both cases.
In September Anina filed two applications as part of her lawsuit against Najib, saying that these are meant to “secure all assets of Najib in the event we win the case” and to allow Umno to recover any assets if necessary.
The first part of Anina’s first application sought for the court to freeze Najib’s assets until her “breach of trust” lawsuit against him is decided, Haniff said, noting that the only asset belonging to the Umno president within his client’s knowledge now is his house.
The second part of the first application was for the court to compel Najib to declare by way of affidavit what are his assets in Malaysia and overseas in 10 days from the time the court makes the order.
The outspoken former Umno leader was sacked after she started her lawsuit, but fought back by suing Tengku Adnan and Umno executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh, arguing that her membership termination was unlawful.
Anina insisted that her legal action against the Umno president was done in accordance with the party's constitution.
Anina first gained prominence following widespread circulation of a 2-minute-52-second video clip in which she criticised Najib as misleading Umno’s three million members over the RM2.6 billion deposited in the prime minister’s personal bank accounts, which the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had said was a donation from a Middle Eastern donor.
