Dec 26 Verdict On Najib S Rm2 3b 1mdb Case

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1MDB TRIAL | After a 302-day trial spanning seven years, the High Court today set Dec 26 to deliver its verdict on Najib Abdul Razak’s abuse of power and money laundering case.
The former prime minister faces four charges of abusing his position for gratification totalling RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds, and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
Trial judge Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal, fixed the judgment date despite the defence not having completed its reply submissions.
“The defence can continue its submissions on Nov 4… I know it will spill over to that day. But I can state here that I will deliver my decision on Dec 26,” said the judge.
Earlier, Najib’s lead counsel, Shafee Abdullah, informed the court that he would continue his submissions after Friday prayers. The judge, however, declined the request due to another commitment.
The judge then reiterated that he would deliver his decision on Dec 26, to which he remarked, “Isn’t that on Boxing Day (a day after Christmas)?”, to which the judge responded in the affirmative.
The prosecution concluded its submissions yesterday. The defence team for Najib was scheduled to complete its reply submissions today; however, the court has adjourned the matter to Nov 4.
The high-profile trial involving 50 witnesses and including nine days of oral submissions drew worldwide attention.
Case background
Najib, 72, was initially charged on Sept 20, 2018. The trial commenced almost a year later, on Aug 28, 2019, with the prosecution closing its case on May 30, 2024.
Subsequently, on Oct 30, 2024, the court ruled that Najib had a case to answer and ordered him to enter his defence on all charges. The defence case proceeded from Dec 2, 2024, to May 6, 2025, spanning 58 days and hearing testimony from 26 witnesses.
Among the key defence witnesses were former 1MDB chairperson Che Lodin Wok Kamarudin, sister to Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu, Tengku Rahimah Sultan Mahmud, former minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Jamil Khir Baharom.
Najib is facing four charges of using his position to obtain gratification totalling RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds at the AmIslamic Bank Berhad branch on Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon here between Feb 24, 2011, and Dec 19, 2014.
He is charged under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which carries up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of either five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
For the 21 money laundering charges, Najib is accused of committing the offences at the same bank between March 22, 2013, and Aug 30, 2013.
These charges are framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5 million and imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
The prosecution was initially led by former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram until his death in January 2023.
Subsequently, deputy public prosecutors Ahmad Akram Gharib and Kamal Baharin Omar handled the prosecution, assisted by DPPs Mustaffa P Kunyalam, Deepa Nair Thevarahan, Nadia Izhar, Najwa Bistamam, Hazmida Harris Lee and Siti Aina Rodhiah Shikh Saud.
Najib was represented by Shafee, Tania Sciavetti, Wan Azwan Aiman Wan Fakhruddin, Wan Arfan Wan Othman, Hartrisha Kaur Sandhu and Naresh Mayachandran.
Earlier, Najib, who was clad in a blue suit, appeared calm throughout the proceedings. Also present was his wife, Rosmah Mansor.
Najib is serving his sentence in Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
- Bernama

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