The Malaysian Insight

THERE are 20 more witnesses left before the prosecution in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial wraps up its case, deputy public prosecutor Deepa Nair Thevaharan told the Kuala Lumpur High Court. 

The trial is being presided over by judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

In this trial, former prime minister Najib Razak is accused of misappropriating RM2.28 billion of 1MDB funds in 2011-2013.

He faces 25 charges of power abuse and money laundering.

“Yang Arif, we have called 15 witnesses this month alone, and we have 20 witnesses to go before we close the prosecution’s case,” Thevaharan informed the judge.

Since the start of the trial in August 2019, 33 witnesses have been called to testify.

Once the prosecution stage of the case concludes, the judge will listen to submission from both parties to decide whether there is a prima facie case against Najib.

If ordered to enter his defence, Najib has three options.

The Pekan MP can choose to keep quiet and not answer to the charges, give an unsworn statement from the dock without being cross-examined by the prosecution or testify under oath, allowing the prosecution to cross-examine him.

Previously, Najib was found guilty of all seven criminal charges of having received RM42 million in funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd, making him the first former prime minister to be charged and convicted in Malaysia.

He was convicted on three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money laundering and one count of abuse of power.

Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, who presided over the case, sentenced Najib to 12 years in jail and fined him RM210 million.

Nazlan’s decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal and the case is now pending before the Federal Court, which is slated to hear the appeal in August. – June 23, 2022.