The ongoing trial of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case has been deferred anew amid the conditional movement control order (CMCO).
This came after an application filed to postpone the case as the former prime minister was under a two-week home quarantine following his return from Sabah after campaigning for the state snap election last month.
The trial, which was scheduled today, October 19, and will push through until Thursday, October 22, will be deferred to November 9.
Once the trial resumes, the defense was expected to continue to cross-examine Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman, 1MDBb’s former chief executive officer.
Najib Razak, 67, was facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes amounting to RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds.
He was also facing 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
Last year, the Malaysian government joined forces with five other countries to try to recover $4.34 billion (18 billion ringgit) worth of assets allegedly siphoned from the 1MDB.
The United States Justice Department struck a deal to recoup $1 billion funds from fugitive financier Jho Low, who played a significant role in the 1MDB scandal.
US authorities said that about $4.5 billion was lost from 1MDB, a company which was founded by then-Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak.
Singapore and Switzerland also took part in the investigation.
Razak lost in the general elections last year and had been charged 42 counts of criminal charges linked to the 1MDB heist. He denied any wrongdoings, saying he was only misled by high-ranked officials at the fund.
Meanwhile, Low, who was facing several charges in the United States and Malaysia, denied involvement in the alleged heist.
However, he agreed to surrender a private jet, upscale properties in Beverly Hills, New York, and London, as well as other properties amounting to $700 million. This was on top of a $126-million yacht and $140 million worth of other assets forfeited previously.
Photo from Flickr
