THE prosecution in Najib Razak’s trial today told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) former general counsel Jasmine Loo Ai Swan would be called to testify.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib said the prosecution would call Loo up after considering the testimony of Anti-Money Laundering Criminal Investigation Division assistant director Foo Wei Min, who was linked to Loo.

To this, judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah said this development was new.

On November 16, Foo testified Loo would be a vital witness in unveiling issues regarding Tanore Finance Corporation, an entity that transferred US$681 million into Najib’s personal bank account and was said to be controlled by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) or his associate Eric Tan Kim Loong.

Foo agreed to the suggestion by Najib’s counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah that Loo’s testimony could either “put a nail in Najib’s coffin” or acquit him in terms of the issues relating to Tanore’s operations.

Foo testified Loo was Low’s personal assistant.

On July 12, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed Loo was arrested by police on July 7 to assist investigations into the misappropriation of 1MDB funds.

During today’s proceedings, Shafee informed the court he still has to cross-examine the 46th prosecution witness – former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz – and former 1MDB chief financial officer Azmi Tahir.

“My Lord, I will cross-examine both of them (Zeti and Azmi) after I question the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Nur Aida Arifin,” Shafee said.

Last week, Nur Aida was under quarantine after contracting Covid-19, and today’s trial was cut short after the court heard the testimony of BNM analyst Adam Ariff Mohd Roslan.

Najib, 70, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes amounting to RM2.3 billion belonging to 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

The trial continues on January 2. – Bernama, December 18, 2023.