KUALA LUMPUR – The 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MBD) case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been extended for an additional eight days of trial by the high court here.
Court of Appeal judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who presided over the case, approved deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib’s proposal for the additional trial days.
This is to compensate for previously vacated trial dates, including today.
Akram’s suggestion came about after Tanya Scivetti, Najib’s lawyer, informed the court that the lead defence lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, was unwell and requested the postponement of today’s trial.
The additional eight dates are March 14, 15, and 27, as well as April 1–5. The trial, which involves the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds, began six years ago on May 14, 2019.
The trial was originally scheduled to run from February 26 to February 28 this week. The judge has maintained the trial date for tomorrow.
Yesterday, Shafee cross-examined Nur Aida Ariffin, the 49th prosecution witness and the MACC’s investigating officer in charge of the 1MDB case.
Najib, 70, is facing four charges related to the alleged solicitation of a RM2.3 billion bribe from 1MDB funds through the abuse of his position. He is also charged with 21 money laundering counts involving the same funds.
He is currently serving a jail sentence for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Najib was initially sentenced to 12 years in jail and an RM210 million fine. However, following the Pardons Board announcement on February 2, his sentence has been reduced to 6 years in prison and a RM50 million fine. – February 27, 2024