Oct 30 decision on whether Najib to enter defence in 1MDB case

KUALA LUMPUR — After five long years of being tried in court, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (picture), who is facing four charges of abusing his position to obtain RM2.3 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and 21 money laundering charges involving the same amount, will know on Oct 30 whether he has to enter his defence.

Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah (now Court of Appeal judge), who presided over the trial at the High Court here, will decide whether to call Najib to enter his defence on the charges or to acquit him.

“I thank all parties for the well-researched and thorough submissions. I will deliver the decision on Oct 30,” said Justice Sequerah after the prosecution and defence concluded their submissions today.

Submissions at the end of the prosecution case started on Aug 19 and lasted 12 days.

Najib, 71, is facing four charges of abusing his position to obtain RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds at the AmIslamic Bank Berhad branch on Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon, between Feb 24, 2011 and Dec 19, 2014. — BERNAMA