NAJIB Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial today has been postponed after the Kuala Lumpur High Court was informed that no prosecution witnesses will turn up to testify. 

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib said the prosecution had tried to call a few witnesses to come to court but to no avail due to short notice. 

“My Lord, as I promised, I tried to call our witnesses. Two of them are overseas, while three others are unable to attend due to various reasons. 

“However, the 43rd prosecution witness, namely, the chairman of The Edge Media Group Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong, is available today. He is supposed to be cross-examined by lead defence counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, but Muhammad Shafee is on medical leave,” he said. 

Defence lawyer Rahmat Hazlan said his boss (Shafee) will conduct the cross-examination for Tong on Monday as the former is on a three-day medical leave after seeing a dentist. 

“My Lord, only Muhammad Shafee can question Tong. His gums still hurt from the procedure, and he is still on MC,” said the lawyer. 

Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah then delayed today’s trial to Monday. 

Najib, 69, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. – Bernama, November 17, 2022.