1MDB trial adjourned after six prosecution witnesses unable to testify

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial has been ordered by the High Court to find a replacement to testify in the hearing after a witness fell sick.

The proceedings hit a snag on Thursday (Jan 6) morning after the court was informed that former 1MDB chief financial officer Azmi Tahir, 48, who was supposed to take the stand, was on MC as he had developed a fever.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib said the prosecution was informed earlier in the morning that Azmi’s fever was not Covid-19-related.

“I have tried to call five other witnesses to replace (him),” he added.

The five are KPMG auditor Johan Idris, Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s former officer Wan Ahmad Shihab Wan Ismail, former 1MDB director Tan Sri Ismee Ismail and former company secretaries Lim Poh Seng and Goh Gaik Kim.

“However, Johan is in London and will only be available after Jan 29. Wan Ahmad Shihab is having diarrhoea and Ismee is under quarantine,” he said.

The prosecutor said Lim had to go for his booster shot appointment while Goh was attending important meetings that she could not cancel.

Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah said he would stand down the proceedings until 2.30pm for the prosecution to find another witness.

Former prime minister Najib, 68, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.28bil from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.