KUALA LUMPUR: Former 1MDB executive director Arul Kanda Kandasamy claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today over his role in the alleged tampering with of the state investment fund’s audit report.
He was accused of abetting former prime minister Najib Razak in the offence, which was said to have taken place at the Prime Minister’s Office between Feb 22 and 26, 2016.
Arul was charged under Section 28 (1)(c) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act which carries a jail term of 20 years and a fine of RM10,000 or five times the amount of bribe received.
He pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayub.
The court allowed bail of RM500,000 with one surety, to be paid today. Arul was also told to surrender his passport pending disposal of the case.
His father-in-law will be his bailor.
Arul’s lawyer N Sivanathan had sought for the bail to be paid in instalments of RM250,000 today and the remainder tomorrow. He said Arul was now unemployed and needed time to raise the necessary amount.
However, deputy public prosecutor Akram Gharib objected to this.
Rozina set next mention on Jan 4, 2019.
Fiat prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram meanwhile informed the court that he would be seeking a joint trial with Najib. - FMT
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