KUALA LUMPUR – After a lengthy 302-day trial over the course of seven years, the High Court has set December 26 for the delivery of its verdict in the case against Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who faces charges of abuse of power and money laundering.
The former Prime Minister is accused of four counts of abusing his position for personal gain, involving RM2.3 billion of 1MDB funds, and 21 counts of money laundering related to the same sum, Bernama reported.
Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who has since been promoted to the Court of Appeal, scheduled the judgment date, despite the defence not having completed its reply submissions.
“The defence can continue its submissions on November 4… I know it will spill over to that day. But I can state here that I will deliver my decision on December 26,” the judge affirmed.
Earlier, Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, requested to continue his submissions after Friday prayers, but the judge declined due to a prior commitment.
The judge then reiterated that his decision would be delivered on December 26. To this, Muhammad Shafee remarked, “Isn’t that on Boxing Day (a day after Christmas)?” The judge confirmed this was the case.
The prosecution concluded its submissions on October 30. Although the defence team was scheduled to complete its reply submissions on October 31, the court adjourned proceedings to November 4.
The high-profile trial has drawn international attention, involving 50 witnesses and nine days of oral submissions.
Najib, 72, was first charged on September 20, 2018. The trial began almost a year later, on August 28, 2019, with the prosecution closing its case on May 30, 2024.
On October 30, 2024, the court ruled that Najib had a case to answer and ordered him to enter his defence on all charges. The defence proceeded from December 2, 2024, to May 6, 2025, spanning 58 days and hearing testimony from 26 witnesses.
Key defence witnesses included former 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Che Lodin Wok Kamarudin, Tengku Datuk Rahimah Sultan Mahmud (sister to Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu), and former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
Najib is facing four charges of using his position to obtain gratification totalling RM2.3 billion at the AmIslamic Bank Berhad branch on Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon, between February 24, 2011, and December 19, 2014.
These charges fall under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
For the 21 money laundering charges, Najib is accused of committing the offences at the same bank between March 22, 2013, and August 30, 2013.
These charges are framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which provides for a fine of up to RM5 million and imprisonment of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
The prosecution was originally led by former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram until his death in January 2023.
It was subsequently handled by deputy public prosecutors Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib and Datuk Kamal Baharin Omar, assisted by DPPs Mohamad Mustaffa P Kunyalam, Deepa Nair Thevarahan, Nadia Mohd Izhar, Najwa Bistamam, Hazmida Harris Lee, and Siti Aina Rodhiah Shikh Md Saud.
Najib is represented by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Datuk Tania Scivetti, Wan Azwan Aiman Wan Fakhruddin, Wan Mohammad Arfan Wan Othman, Hartrisha Kaur Sandhu, and Naresh Mayachandran.
At the hearing, Najib, dressed in a blue suit, appeared calm. His wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, was also present.
Najib is currently serving a sentence at Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd. – October 31, 2025