1MDB trial: No more reserving witnesses' cross-examinations, says judge

KUALA LUMPUR: High Court judge Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah is putting his foot down in the RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial involving Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The judge said he no longer tolerated the cross-examination of witnesses being reserved as he wanted the trial to move promptly.

This came after the court was informed by Najib's lawyer Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed that lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah was not around to conduct the cross-examination of witness Kok Tuck Cheong, who is an ex-managing director of AmInvestment Bank Bhd, as the senior lawyer had another matter before Judicial Commissioner Azhar Abdul Hamid here on Tuesday.

Kok had finished reading his witness statement and was still on the witness stand awaiting the proceedings when lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram voiced his dissatisfaction over Muhammad Shafee's absence and requested for the cross-examination to be conducted this week.

Justice Sequerah, who appeared unhappy, told Wan Aizuddin that if Muhammad Shafee was absent, he (Wan Aizuddin) must "step up".

"This trial is going on in instalments... over and over again with witnesses' cross-examination being reserved. I've accommodated as much as I can.

"I cannot go beyond this. In the future, there is no more reserving the witness," Justice Sequerah said.

Wan Aizuddin said he was not prepared to do the cross-examination of the witness at that juncture.

"I have done my part for certain witnesses," he said.

Justice Sequerah said if Muhammad Shafee was not available for cross-examination and there was no one else to step in for him, the court would assume that cross-examination was done and continue with re-examination.

"You all (Messrs Shafee & Co) have a big team. Wan, you are more than capable. You are familiar with the facts of the case.

"This is something you have to take note of," the judge added.

Wan Aizuddin said he took note of the direction and would inform the matter to Muhammad Shafee.

"We will act accordingly," Wan Aizuddin said.

Najib, 69, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.28bil from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

The hearing resumes this afternoon.