Arul Kanda takes the stand in 1MDB audit tampering trial on June 24

KUALA LUMPUR: Former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy (pic) is taking the stand as a witness in the 1MDB audit tampering trial at the High Court here on Friday (June 24).

This follows a decision by High Court judge Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, who allowed the prosecution's application to call Arul, a co-accused along with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to testify as a prosecution witness.

The judge said that he was satisfied with the prosecution's grounds for the application.

"There is no hindrance for the prosecution to make the application at any stage in their case.

"It is entirely in their hands to conduct the prosecution in the way they deem fit," he said.

Justice Mohamed Zaini also said that the witness must speak the truth in his testimony.

"Quoting Benjamin Franklin, 'half a truth is often a great lie'," he added.

The judge also said it did not matter if Arul's testimony would favour the prosecution or the defence.

"His fear should be directed towards telling the truth," Justice Mohamed Zaini said.

As Arul took the witness stand, his lawyer Datuk N. Sivananthan told the court he would be holding a watching brief.

"At this stage, I will be holding a watching brief for Arul as I can no longer represent him as counsel," Sivananthan said.

More to come