Former 1MDB CEO Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman three days ago came in close contact with a friend who later tested positive for Covid-19.
As a result, former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial today was adjourned to May 3.
During proceedings today, deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib informed judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah that they only found out about it today.
The DPP said during a short break in proceedings earlier today, 10th prosecution witness Hazem received a text message from his (Hazem) friend that he (friend) has been tested positive for Covid-19.
Akram said back on Monday this week, Hazem had met the friend in a meeting room at an unspecified location, whereby Hazem and the friend sat two metres away from each other for one to two hours.
“When we took the break, 10th prosecution witness Hazem checked his phone and received a text message from his friend, where the friend said he tested Covid positive.
“He (Hazem) claimed that he was not that close, two metres (from the friend) in the same meeting room.
“Therefore, I seek your lordship’s direction whether we wish to continue with him (Hazem’s testimony) today or stop proceedings at this point.
“The information was received by him (Hazem) via text during a break earlier (today),” the DPP said as accused Najib looked on from the dock during proceedings.
Lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah then concurred with the prosecution, adding that they ought to not take the risk by proceeding with the trial today.
“He (Hazem) is the primary exposure, we ought not to take the risk.
“It is ideal that we (postpone today’s trial) to May,” Shafee said, adding that by May, the court would know about the result of Covid-19 testing on Hazem as well.
Hazem was not seen in court during this exchange.
Much earlier this morning prior to the break, the witness was being cross-examined by defence counsel Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed.
Sequerah then allowed proceedings to adjourn to May 3, with Akram undertaking to inform the court about the results of Covid-19 test on Hazem.
“It is risky to continue with 10th prosecution witness as we do not know if he is asymptomatic or not,” the judge remarked.
Najib’s RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial has been postponed a few times in the past due to Covid-19 scare.
Earlier on Feb 10, the trial was adjourned also due to Hazem having come down with fever and had to undergo Covid-19 testing.
However, this testing showed the witness was negative for the virus that is currently driving a worldwide pandemic that ensnared Malaysia as well.
Further back on March 12 last year, the trial was postponed when Najib’s entire defence team underwent self-quarantine due to Covid-19 close contact risk.
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.
Aside from being the former prime minister, the accused was also finance minister and chairperson of the board of advisors of 1MDB at the time.
1MDB is fully owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc).
It is understood that Najib's RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial could only resume in May because the accused has separate 1MDB-linked court cases later this month, next month and April.
He is set to resume his Kuala Lumpur High Court 1MDB audit report tampering trial next week and next month, while his appeal against his conviction and sentence for the RM42 million SRC International graft case would be heard by the Court of Appeal in April. - Mkini
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