KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will learn on Oct 30 whether he can walk free or must enter his defence on multiple corruption charges involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Court of Appeal judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who presided as a High Court judge, set the date after both the prosecution and defence teams completed their submissions at the end of the prosecution case today.
"I thank parties for the well-researched and thorough submissions.
"I will deliver my decision end of prima facie case on Oct 30," he said.
In legal proceedings, when a court decides at the end of the prosecution's case, it means the judge will determine whether the evidence presented by the prosecution is sufficient to establish a prima facie case against the accused.
If the court determines that there is sufficient evidence, the accused will be required to enter defence and present his case, which involves three options - provide sworn evidence in the witness box and undergo cross-examination, make an unsworn statement from the dock without facing cross-examination, or remain silent, in which case the court will be compelled to convict them.
However, if the evidence is deemed insufficient, the court may acquit the accused without requiring a defence.
Submissions at the end of prosecution's case began on Aug 18 and lasted 12 days.
The prosecution rested its case in May this year after 235 days of trial, which spanned six years and involved testimonies from 50 witnesses.
The former Pekan member of parliament was charged in the Sessions Court on Sept 20, 2018, and the case was allowed to be transferred to the High Court on Oct 31, 2018. The trial began on Aug 28, 2019.
Among the key witnesses called to testify were former 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh, former chief executive Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, and former 1MDB general counsel, Jasmine Loo Ai Swan.
Najib is charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act (MACC), which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to five times the amount or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.
For the 21 charges of money laundering, the former Pekan member of parliament is accused of committing the offences between March 22, 2013, and Aug 30, 2013.
All charges are under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFA), which carries a maximum fine of RM5 million and imprisonment of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.