Former 1MDB CEO tests negative for Covid-19

 

1MDB TRIAL | Former 1MDB CEO Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman has tested negative for Covid-19.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib informed the Kuala Lumpur High Court this afternoon during the RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Yesterday, Hazem, 10th prosecution witness, was unable to attend the trial as he was down with fever.

Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah then directed the prosecution to ensure the witness get a swab test for Covid-19.

As a result, Hazem yesterday was unable to resume his cross-examination by Najib's defence team.

Sequerah: How was the test result of Hazem?

Akram: The result is negative (for Covid-19).

The exchange between the judge and the DPP came near the end of proceedings, after the 11th prosecution witness, former cabinet deputy chief secretary Mazidah Abdul Majid, wrapped up her testimony.

It is understood that Hazem would take the witness stand again on Monday next week.

Earlier during the proceedings, Mazidah testified that no ministers during cabinet meetings had raised the issue of conflict of interest regarding Najib.

The witness said this during cross-examination by lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

The lawyer asked her whether any cabinet ministers during the Najib administration had raised the issue of the accused’s conflict of interest in relation to 1MDB.

Shafee: In the matter of Najib vis-à-vis 1MDB, TIA (Terengganu Investment Authority, the predecessor of 1MDB) and SRC (International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB), has there been a situation where anybody (in the cabinet) raised the issue of conflict of interest, anybody at all?

Mazidah: No.

Shafee: In the case where he (Najib) sits as chairperson of the board of advisers in 1MDB, as finance minister, and as corporate representative of Minister of Finance Incorporated... all these are official positions.

Has there been anyone (in the cabinet) who said this produces conflict of interest and therefore raised the matter?

Mazidah: Not to my knowledge.

Later during re-examination by Akram, Mazidah said that she has no personal knowledge on whether Najib actually has personal interest in 1MDB that could lead to conflict of interest.

Akram: Shafee earlier said that he (Najib) has official interest sitting as chairperson of board of advisers (of 1MDB), as MoF Inc shareholder and as prime minister. Would you know if he (Najib) has a personal interest in the company (1MDB)?

Mazidah: No, I would not know.

Akram: Would you know if Najib ever received money from 1MDB?

Mazidah: No, I do not know.

Akram: If Najib did personally receive money from 1MDB, would that constitute conflict of interest (in violation of the Code of Ethics for Members of Administration)?

Mazidah: In my personal opinion, it would be yes, but as it involves minister and prime minister, I would suggest you get the opinion of the attorney-general.

Najib is on trial for four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.28 billion of 1MDB's funds.

Besides being former prime minister, Najib was also the finance minister and chairperson of 1MDB’s board of advisors.

Troubled sovereign wealth fund 1MDB is a fully-owned subsidiary of the Minister of Finance Incorporated. - Mkini