Muhyiddin wants 1MDB trial expedited

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin wants the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial in Malaysia to be expedited.

While he did not name names, it is believed to be in reference to Najib Abdul Razak’s 1MDB trial which is still ongoing.

“I believe the courts in our country will also give justice to all Malaysians on the 1MDB case which is still in proceedings.

“The trial must be expedited so that justice can be dealt swiftly,” Muhyiddin (above) said in a statement tonight.

He said this while commenting on former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng being convicted by a US jury for bribery and money laundering in the 1MDB case.

Former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng (left)

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.

The trial is still in the prosecution stage and Najib has not been called to enter a defence yet.

Besides being prime minister at the time of the alleged offence, Najib was also the finance minister and chairperson of 1MDB's board of advisers.

1MDB was owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak

Muhyiddin had previously alleged that when he was prime minister, Najib wanted him to interfere in the case.

This included removing Gopal Sri Ram as lead prosecutor.

Najib has denied the allegations.

Besides the 1MDB case, Najib is also on his final appeal in the SRC International case - in which he has been convicted of criminal breach of trust, money laundering, and abuse of power. SRC is a 1MDB subsidiary.

Muhyiddin is trying to position himself and his Perikatan Nasional coalition as staunch fighters against corruption. - Mkini