KUALA LUMPUR – The judge presiding over Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial today ordered the prosecution team to get other witnesses as the 12th prosecution witness, who was supposed to continue to testify today, is down with fever.
Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah made the order after deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib informed the court that he received a message from former 1MDB chief financial officer Azmi Tahir, 49, at 8.30am today to inform that he is unable to testify as he is on medical leave.
Akram said he then told the witness to come to court and explain the matter.
“My Lord, he came to court and his eyes were red and his body was warm,” said the prosecutor.
Question by judge Sequerah whether the witness was having a fever, Akram replied: “Yes, but not Covid-19, but he looks weak.
“My Lord, I have tried to call other witnesses, namely, Datuk Johan Idris, Datuk Wan Ahmad Shihab Wan Ismail, Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, Lim Poh Seng as well as Goh Gaik Kim to replace Azmi on the stand.
“Johan is in London, Wan Shihab has down with diarrhoea for the past three days, Ismee is under self-quarantine as he has just returned from umrah, Lim is getting a Covid-19 booster shot today, and Goh has to attend two company meetings. I asked her to cancel the meetings, but she said they are important,” said Akram.
Judge Sequerah, who appreciated the prosecution’s attempt to call the five witnesses at the 11th hour, however asked the prosecution to try to get at least one of the more than 50 prosecution witnesses to attend the proceedings this afternoon.
“I will stand down this proceeding until 2.30pm, and do your best to get someone else. There are over 50 witnesses in the list. The trial will resume at 2.30pm,” said the judge.
Pekan MP Najib is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. – Bernama, January 6, 2022
