by BERNAMA / pic by BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR – Former chief executive officer of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Mohd Hazem Abd Rahman (picture) who was reported unwell, has tested negative for COVID-19.

The test result was informed by deputy public prosecutor, Mohamad Mustafa P. Kunyalam to Bernama via a short message.

“He told us the result is negative. However, we are not calling him today (to testify),” said Mohamad Mustafa.

Mohd Hazem, the 10th prosecution witness who was under cross-examination by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s counsel, Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed was unavailable to testify at Najib’s 1MDB trial yesterday, as he had a fever.

Yesterday, when the matter came up for the court’s attention, High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah ordered Mohd Hazem, 47, to do a swab test and the trial continued with the 11th prosecution witness, former deputy chief secretary (to the Cabinet), Tan Sri Mazidah Abdul Majid.

Najib, 67, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from the 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.