PROSECUTORS have another 40 more witnesses to go in Najib Razak’s SRC International trial, in which 37 people have testified thus far. 

The trial, in which Najib faces seven criminal charges related to RM42 million transferred to his personal accounts, is 18 trial days in, with another 39 to go. 

In an apparent dig at the defence, ad hoc prosecutor V. Sithambaram told the court this morning that the trial’s conclusion depends on “how long the testimony of the witnesses” will take. 

Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali also set three replacement court days upon request by the defence to free up Fridays to allow them to attend to other cases. 

The remaining trial dates are May 28 and 29, June 10 to 13, 14 (Friday, half-day), 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 (Friday, half-day), July 1, 2, 3, and July 8 to August 15 (with exception to Fridays).

After the prosecution has finished calling its witnesses and its case, the presiding judge will decide whether there is a prima facie case against Najib. If that is established, Najib will be asked to enter his defence.

The defence will then call its witnesses, who will be cross-examined by the prosecution and then re-examined by the defence. At the end of the defence’s case, both parties will submit to court whether Najib is proven guilty of a crime beyond reasonable doubt, after which the judge will deliver his verdict. 

Prosecution witnesses thus far have included officers and staffers from Bank Negara, AmBank, Affin Bank, Maybank, recipients of cheques from Najib that include Umno operatives and leaders, the Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) and SRC International’s corporate social responsibility arm Ihsan Perdana. 

During the fasting month of Ramadan, court hearings at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex typically end earlier, usually before 4pm, for Najib’s trial. 

Najib’s charges in this trial relate to the RM4 billion loan to SRC International made out in 2011 and 2012, for which he is accused of receiving RM42 million in his personal accounts in 2014 and 2015.

He faces three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money-laundering and one count of abuse of power. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment. 

Najib is represented by a dozen lawyers led by Muhammad Shafee Abdullah. Attorney-General Tommy Thomas leads the prosecution. – May 17, 2019.