THE Kuala Lumpur High Court today dismissed an application by Najib Razak to put off the 1MDB audit-tampering trial until January 13 next year.

“I’ve considered the application and the application is dismissed. The trial will proceed,” said judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.

Najib’s lawyers had argued for more time to prepare for the defence stage of the former prime minister’s other ongoing SRC International trial, which is slated to begin December 3.

Najib’s co-accused in the report-tampering trial, former 1MDB chief executive Arul Kanda Kandasamy, objected to the postponement on Friday.

Lawyer N. Sivanathan told the court that his client, Arul Kanda, has been “under a dark cloud” and wanted the trial to proceed to clear his name. 

Najib and Arul Kanda are on trial for allegedly tampering with a 2016 government audit report on the troubled state investor.

Today, amended charges were re-read to the duo.  Arul Kanda, dressed in a dark blue suit and Najib, appearing in a beige suit, said they understood the charges and claimed trial again. 

Najib is accused of using his position to remove parts of the final 1MDB audit report between February 22 and 26, 2016 at the Prime Minister’s Department before it was tabled to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to protect himself from criminal action.

The 66-year-old is accused of using his position as prime minister to obtain gratification in the form of disciplinary, civil and criminal immunity related to 1MDB by ordering amendments to the audit report before the final copy was presented to PAC.

Arul Kanda was charged with abetting Najib in making amendments to the report to protect the latter from being subjected to disciplinary, civil or criminal action in connection with 1MDB at the same place and time.

Former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram will lead the prosecution, assisted by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Akram Gharib.

Hearing has been fixed from today to November 29 and from January 13 to 17. The prosecution is expected to call about 30 witnesses. – November 18, 2019.