Kuala Lumpur – Datuk Seri Najib Razak will testify in the High Court as the first defense witness in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) corruption trial.
Najib's lead lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told Judge Colin Lawrence Sequeira that his client had asked the court to read his 525-page witness statement.
Due to its length, the witness statements are divided into two volumes.
Mohammad Shafie said here on Monday (December 2): “He (Najib) asked… This is his instruction for me to read this witness statement because if it is not read, it will not Record it in his mind.
Witness statements can be read in court or by the court on the spot.
Shafee said the defense team had been under pressure to complete witness statements within a month since the High Court ordered Najib to appear in court on October 30.
“It's the least we can do. It's not easy to take instructions from clients in a prison environment.
Also read: 1MDB trial: Najib expected to testify on Dec 2
“It's a very difficult condition. When we are about to achieve something, it's time to go back,” Mohammed Shafi said.
Lawyers said Najib had been busy issuing instructions to his team in jail and some documents had to be left with him overnight for his reading.
Judge Sequerah said the defense team's work was commendable.
“I don't think (the reading of the statement) was unreasonable. He was the first witness,” he said.
However, Judge Sequeira asked Najib to read the statement more quickly.
Mohammad Shafi then replied that his client was one of the “best” orators.
“I will let Najib read at his own pace,” he said.
According to the charges, the former Pekan MP faces four counts of using his position to obtain RM2.28 billion in payments from 1MDB funds, as well as 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
Also read: Najib to argue house arrest appeal tomorrow
The abuse of power offense was allegedly committed at an AmIslamic Bank Bhd branch at Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon between February 24, 2011 and December 19, 2014.
Meanwhile, money laundering offenses were allegedly committed at the same location between March 22 and August 30, 2013.
The charges were brought under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and are punishable under Section 24(1) of the Act.
If convicted after the conclusion of his defence, Najib faces a maximum jail term of 20 years and five times gratuity or a fine of RM10,000, whichever is higher.
The hearing continued with Nagy reading his witness statement.
