Najib’s RM2.28bil 1MDB trial concludes, verdict set for Dec 26

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s graft trial involving RM2.28bil linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) has concluded after 10 days of final submissions.

The hearing wrapped up on Tuesday after both parties completed their submissions. At the end of proceedings, the court was informed that minor issues still needed to be addressed in written submissions, as instructed by the court.

The hearing was initially scheduled to end last Friday but was extended after Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, requested more time to complete his submissions.

Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah announced last Friday that he will deliver his decision in the case on Dec 26, a day after Christmas.

The trial spanned 302 days, including three Saturdays. The prosecution’s trial began on Aug 28, 2019, and concluded on May 30, 2024.

On Oct 30, last year, the High Court ordered Najib to enter his defence over the charges. Najib took the stand as the first defence witness on Dec 2, 2024.

Defence witnesses included former 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Che Lodin Wok Kamarudin and Tengku Datuk Rahimah Sultan Mahmud, the sister of Terengganu’s Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Najib faces four counts of using his position to obtain RM2.28bil in gratification from 1MDB’s funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.

The abuse of power offences were allegedly committed at an AmIslamic Bank Bhd branch in Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon between Feb 24, 2011 and Dec 19, 2014, while the money laundering offences were allegedly committed at the same location between March 22 and Aug 30, 2013.

Najib is currently serving a prison sentence since Aug 23, 2022, after being convicted in a separate criminal trial over the misappropriation of RM42mil from SRC International Sdn Bhd.