KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak‘s legal team has again raised concerns over alleged injustice in his 1MDB corruption trial, just days before the High Court is due to deliver its verdict on Dec 26.
Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, alleged today that Roger Ng Chong Hwa, a key prosecution witness, had fully cooperated with authorities and provided material information during investigations into the 1MDB scandal.
However, when testifying in Najib’s trial, Ng refused to answer several crucial questions, citing a United States protective order that he said prevented him from disclosing information in open court.
Shafee, referring to a press statement issued by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC) on Dec 12, said Ng had in fact supplied material information to investigators.
“This created a clear and obvious injustice to Najib,” he said.
“While Roger Ng refused to answer material questions in open court on the grounds of a US protective order, he nonetheless provided critical information to investigators outside the courtroom. That information, which was directly relevant to the defence, was not disclosed during his testimony and was therefore prevented from being considered as evidence in this trial,” he added.
Shafee said a similar pattern could be seen in the treatment of other key individuals linked to the 1MDB case, including the company’s former general counsel, Jasmine Loo Ai Swan, described as a close associate of fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low.
He said Loo was called as a prosecution witness and her testimony played a significant role in explaining transactions and arrangements central to the charges against Najib.
“Despite outstanding arrest warrants, unresolved charges and ongoing investigations against her, no prosecution was pursued. Instead, she remained in Malaysia and was placed under the witness protection programme,” he said.
Shafee alleged that Loo was a key architect in legitimising documentation for fraudulent transactions executed by Low and Goldman Sachs.
He also questioned the lack of effective enforcement action against Low, who has been widely identified as the mastermind behind the global fraud.
“It appears that no effective measures were taken to secure his return, and he is no longer subject to an active Interpol Red Notice. We question whether any improper, or worse, corrupt arrangements exist with Low,” he said.
Shafee argued that these circumstances showed Najib had not been afforded a fair trial, as guaranteed under Articles 5 and 8 of the Federal Constitution.
Najib is facing four charges of misappropriating RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds and 21 counts of money laundering.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
