Najib's 1MDB trial cut short as witness down with Covid-19

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KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption trial was cut short Friday (Dec 15) after the High Court was told that a key witness was infected with Covid-19 while another was listed as a close contact of a patient.

The witnesses involved are Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Nur Aida Arifin and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) analyst Adam Ariff Mohd Roslan.

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DPP Kamal Baharin Omar informed judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah that Nur Aida, who is under quarantine, cannot appear in court on Monday (Dec 18), 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," the prosecutor added.

The judge then adjourned Friday's proceedings to Monday.

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Earlier, the court heard testimony from the 48th prosecution witness, Anti-Money Laundering Criminal Investigation Division assistant director Asst Comm Foo Wei Min, on his investigation of Najib's accounts allegedly linked to money laundering.

Foo, who first took the witness stand on Oct 12, completed his testimony on Friday but is subject to recall if necessary.

Najib, 70, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes amounting to RM2.3bil belonging to 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. – Bernama