KUALA LUMPUR – The lawyer of former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) chief executive officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy has denied reports that his client has “happily” agreed to testify against Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the former prime minister’s audit report tampering trial.
In a brief statement, Datuk N. Sivananthan said certain statements he made in court today had been taken out of context.
He said a number of media headlines sought to imply that Arul, who is co-accused in the trial, would “happily” turn into a prosecution witness against Najib.
“In this regard, I wish to clarify, that firstly, my client remains a co-accused, even though he may be called as a prosecution witness, as he is being compelled to give evidence under the provisions of Section 63 of the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) Act,” Sivanathan said.
“Secondly, it is my client’s position that when investigations were first commenced by MACC in this matter, he voluntarily cooperated and provided the investigators with all information within his knowledge.”
An earlier report by Bernama said Sivananthan told high court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan that his client was prepared to stand by his previous statement to the MACC during investigations.
The lawyer, in the follow-up statement, explained that his client believes he should never have been charged, but he is prepared to give evidence consistent with statements he gave the MACC if the judge decides he is to become a prosecution witness. – The Vibes, June 14, 2022
