Malaysia: 1MDB trial postponed due to Covid-19 scare

• The 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)-Tanore trial was abruptly adjourned on 18 Feb 21 after the current witness, former chief executive officer (CEO) Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman, informed the court that he was in contact with a patient found to be Covid-19 positive.
• The trial, which had been ongoing this week, began this morning with Hazem taking the stand to continue the cross-examination.
• When the court reconvened after a break, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Ahmad Akram Gharib informed Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah that Hazem had been in close contact with a friend who was just found to be Covid-19 positive.
• Akram told the court that Hazem and his friend were in close contact in the same room three days ago.
• Lead defence lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah also addressed the court and advised that continuing the trial would be risky as many people would be involved.
• “We should not take the risk as there are many people involved,” he said.
• Justice Sequerah agreed with Shafee, saying that it would be too risky as they could not ascertain if Hazem was a carrier of the virus pending a test.
• The next trial dates after 18 Feb 21 are 3 to 6 May 21.
• Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is the only accused in the case.

External Link : https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/1mdb-trial-postponed-due-covid19-scare