PUTRAJAYA, Oct 31 — After a 302-day trial spanning seven years, the High Court today set December 26 to deliver its verdict on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s abuse of power and money laundering case.
The former prime minister faces four charges of abusing his position for gratification totalling RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds, and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
Trial judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal, fixed the judgment date despite the defence not having completed its reply submissions.
“The defence can continue its submissions on November 4… I know it will spill over to that day, but I can state here that I will deliver my decision on December 26,” said the judge.
Earlier, Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah informed the court he would continue his submissions after Friday prayers. The judge, however, declined the request due to another commitment.
The judge then reiterated that he would deliver his decision on December 26, to which Shafee remarked, “Isn’t that on Boxing Day?”, to which the judge responded in the affirmative.
The prosecution concluded its submissions yesterday. The defence team for Najib was scheduled to complete its reply submissions today, but the court has adjourned the matter to November 4.
The high-profile trial involving 50 witnesses and nine days of oral submissions has drawn worldwide attention.
Najib, 72, was initially charged on September 20, 2018. The trial commenced almost a year later, on August 28, 2019, with the prosecution closing its case on May 30, 2024.
Subsequently, on October 30, 2024, the court ruled that Najib had a case to answer and ordered him to enter his defence on all charges. The defence case proceeded from December 2, 2024, to May 6, 2025, spanning 58 days and hearing testimony from 26 witnesses.
Among the key defence witnesses were former 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Che Lodin Wok Kamarudin, sister to Terengganu’s Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tengku Datuk Rahimah Sultan Mahmud, and Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
Najib is facing four charges of using his position to obtain gratification totalling RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds at the AmIslamic Bank Bhd branch on Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon here between February 24, 2011, and December 19, 2014.
He is charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same act, which carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of either five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever higher, upon conviction.
For the 21 money laundering charges, Najib is accused of committing the offences at the same bank between March 22, 2013, and August 30, 2013.
These charges are framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5 million, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
The prosecution was initially led by former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram until his death in January 2023.
Subsequently, it was handled by deputy public prosecutors (DPPs) Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib and Datuk Kamal Baharin Omar, assisted by DPPs Mohamad Mustaffa P. Kunyalam, Deepa Nair Thevarahan, Nadia Mohd Izhar, Najwa Bistamam, Hazmida Harris Lee and Siti Aina Rodhiah Shikh Md Saud.
Najib was represented by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Datuk Tania Scivetti, Wan Azwan Aiman Wan Fakhruddin, Wan Mohammad Arfan Wan Othman, Hartrisha Kaur Sandhu, and Naresh Mayachandran.
Earlier, Najib, who was clad in a blue suit, appeared calm throughout the proceedings. Also present was his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
Najib is currently serving his sentence in Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
