KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) corruption trial was cut short today after the high court was told that a key witness was infected with the Covid-19 virus, while another one was a close contact of a Covid-19 patient.
The witnesses are Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer Nur Aida Arifin and Bank Negara Malaysia analyst Adam Ariff Mohd Roslan.
Deputy public prosecutor Kamal Baharin Omar informed judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah that Nur Aida, who is under quarantine, cannot appear in court next Monday, when the trial is scheduled to continue.
“My Lord, the 47th prosecution witness, Adam Ariff, whom the prosecution had planned to call next on Monday, is currently under surveillance as he was in close contact with a Covid-19 patient,” said the prosecutor.
The judge then adjourned today’s proceedings to Monday.
Earlier, the court heard testimonials from the 48th prosecution witness, assistant director of the Anti-Money Laundering Criminal Investigation Division, Foo Wei Min, on the investigation that he had conducted into Najib’s accounts linked to money laundering.
Foo, who first took the witness stand on October 12, completed his testimony today but can be subjected to recall if necessary.
Najib, 70, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes amounting to RM2.3 billion belonging to 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. – December 15, 2023