KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): Former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak and former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy’s audit report tampering trial has been postponed to Dec 7. 

This comes after it was announced that civil and criminal trials in courts located in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya will be suspended during the two-week conditional movement control order (CMCO) in these three areas from tomorrow until Oct 27. 

Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan said the audit report tampering trial will be vacated tomorrow in accordance with the CMCO.  

He then set Dec 7 to 11 for the continuation of hearing.  

In short proceedings today, the prosecution’s fifth witness, National Audit Department Director Datuk Nor Salwani Muhammad, verified the people who were present in the infamous Feb 24, 2016 meeting.  

It has been reported that amendments were made to the 1MDB Audit Report following that meeting attended by, among others, former Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa, former Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang, Najib’s former principal private secretary Tan Sri Shukry Salleh and Arul Kanda. 

Replying to DPP Akram Gharib, Salwani verified the voices in the recording which she had taken unbeknownst to anyone during the meeting.  

She also confirmed the authenticity of the recordings which were then rendered into evidence.  

Najib's lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who was supposed to continue with his cross-examination this afternoon, asked if he could do it when the trial resumes on Dec 7 and the judge agreed. 

Najib is accused of committing the offence at the Prime Minister’s Department Complex in Putrajaya between Feb 22 and 26, 2016. 

The charge is framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 which carries a maximum jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. 

Arul Kanda was charged with abetting Najib in making amendments to the report to protect Najib from being subjected to disciplinary, civil or criminal action in connection with 1MDB, at the same place and time and in accordance with Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act 2009 read with Section 23(1) and 24(1) of the same act which provides for similar punishment, if found guilty. 

For more stories on the 1MDB audit report tampering trial, click here.