KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak will know on Oct 30 whether he has to enter his defence or walk away a free man in the RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case.
Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah fixed the date after submissions at the end of the prosecution’s case were completed at the High Court here yesterday.
“I thank (both) parties for the well-researched and thorough submissions. The decision, I will deliver on Oct 30,” he said.
Submissions by the prosecution began on Aug 18.
Najib, 71, is on trial for a total of 25 charges – four for abuse of power that allegedly brought him the financial benefit to the tune of RM2.28bil; and 21 for money laundering involving the same amount of money.
The four counts of power abuse were framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to five times the amount of gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
For the 21 charges of money laundering, Najib is charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM5mil, imprisonment of up to five years or both, upon conviction.
Najib was first charged in the Sessions Court on Sept 20, 2018.
The case was transferred to the High Court on Oct 31, 2018. The trial began on Aug 28, 2019.
A total of 50 prosecution witnesses testified. Some of the key witnesses were former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, former 1MDB CEO Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, former 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh and former 1MDB general counsel Jasmine Loo.
