KUALA LUMPUR: The transfer of High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, who convicted former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak of corruption six months ago, is a normal, administrative matter.
The Federal Court Chief of Registrar's Office, in a statement, described Nazlan's transfer order as a regular administrative transfer among judges nationwide.
It also pointed out that Nazlan will continue to hear the remainder of his criminal cases until their disposal, even after the transfer date (March 1).
"There are about 30 remaining criminal cases at High Court 3, before we can close," it said.
Nazlan has several other high profile cases to conclude prior to his transfer date, such as:
- Najib and former Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah's criminal breach of trust case, totalling RM6.6 million of government funds, which is expected to continue in September.
- The government's forfeiture lawsuit to recover more than US$340 million of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) money from PetroSaudi International (PSI) and its director Tarek Obaid.
- A decision against former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad's criminal breach of trust (CBT) charge and nine corruption charges involving RM3 million in the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites next month.
The statement said Nazlan is expected to replace the current judge for civil court NCVC2 judge Wong Chee Lin, who is about to retire soon.
It said Nazlan has the expertise and experience to hear civil and commercial cases, as he was previously a commercial High Court judge.
"Nazlan was a judge for commercial court before he was transferred to criminal court two years ago."
It was reported that Chief Judge of Malaysia, Tan Sri Azahar Mohamed, had issued a circular to the Malaysian Bar to announce the transfer of Nazlan from criminal High Court 3 to Civil High Court (NCVC 2).
Based on the circular signed by Malaysian Bar secretary A G Kalidas, Azahar has extended a copy of directive for change His Honorable Judge of the High Court of Malaya Bil 2/2021.
Nazlan was appointed as a Judicial Commissioner on April 2015, and was elevated to a High Court judge on Jan 2017.
The 52-year-old, in July last year, sentenced Najib to 12 years' jail and fined the Pekan Member of Parliament RM210 million after he was found guilty of all seven charges related to the misappropriation of RM42 million of SRC International funds.
The former Umno president will have to serve an additional five years if he fails to pay the fine.
On Dec 7, Nazlan also granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to Putrajaya Member of Parliament Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor over a RM1 million corruption case based on appeal from prosecutors.
This was done after deputy public prosecutor Julia Ibrahim informed the judge that she had received instructions from the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to seek a DNAA for Tengku Adnan.
However, the former Federal Territories Minister was sentenced to 12 months' jail and fined RM2 million by another High Court judge, Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, after he was found guilty of corruption by receiving RM2 million for himself from a businessman.