FORMER prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has raised objections to most of former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) chief executive officer Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi’s witness statement in the company’s US$5.64 billion civil suit, arguing that much of it was based on hearsay.
1MDB’s counsel Lee Shih informed the High Court on Wednesday that objections had been filed against about 80% of Shahrol Azral’s 168-page statement.
He told Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Redzuan Idrus that the parties had only received the objections table that morning and needed time to examine the issues raised.
“Shahrol Azral is ready to give testimony starting from tomorrow,” Lee said, adding that the defence’s objections required further review.
The court subsequently allowed the request, with the trial scheduled to resume on Thursday.
Earlier, offshore asset recovery specialist Angela Barkhouse completed her testimony as the third witness for 1MDB and its subsidiaries after taking the stand on Monday.
The civil suit was filed in May 2021 by 1MDB, 1MDB Energy Holdings Ltd, 1MDB Energy Ltd, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Ltd and Global Diversified Investment Company Ltd, formerly known as 1MDB Global Investments Ltd.
The companies are suing Najib and six former 1MDB officials — former finance director Terrence Geh Choh Heng, former executive director Casey Tang Keng Chee, former chief investment officer Vincent Beng Huat Koh, former chief operating officer Radhi Mohamad, former investment director Kelvin Tan Kay Jim and former chief investment officer Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages over allegations of breach of trust, breach of statutory duty, abuse of power and conspiracy to misappropriate 1MDB funds. – August 12, 2026
