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

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

The witnesses are Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Investigating Officer (IO) Nur Aida Arifin and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) analyst Adam Ariff Mohd Roslan.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Kamal Baharin Omar informed Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah that Nur Aida who is under quarantine cannot appear in court next Monday 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, was currently "under surveillance” as he was in close contact with a Covid-19 patient," said the prosecutor.

The judge then adjourned today's proceedings to Monday.

Earlier, the court heard testimonials of the 48th prosecution witness, Assistant Director of the Anti-Money Laundering Criminal Investigation Division ACP Foo Wei Min, on the investigation that he had done with Najib's accounts linked to money laundering.

Foo who first took the witness stand on Oct 12, completed his testimony today but can be subjected to recall if necessary.

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