KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak will have to answer all criminal charges involving the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) financial debacle on Dec 2.
Earlier today, presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah ordered Najib to enter his defence on all charges after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the former prime minister.
Najib, 71, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
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 officer Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, and former 1MDB general counsel Jasmine Loo Ai Swan.
Najib was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 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, Najib is accused of committing the offences between March 22, 2013, and Aug 30, 2013.
All these charges are under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM5 million and imprisonment of up to five years or both, upon conviction.
Last week, Najib, in a statement read by his eldest son, issued an apology for all that transpired during the 1MDB financial scandal.
Despite his apology, the former prime minister asserted his innocence, claiming he was deceived by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low and the latter's associates.