KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): The 1MDB-Tanore trial resumes this afternoon with the admissibility of former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) chief executive officer Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman’s witness statement yet to be determined. 

Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah will hear further submissions from lead defence counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who is seeking to remove 24 pages out of Hazem’s witness statement, which is over 100 pages long, on the basis of hearsay and conjecture. 

Shafee will make the submissions today, before Justice Sequerah makes any decision regarding the witness’ testimony. 

Hazem, who was supposed to take the stand as the 10th prosecution witness in the trial, has had to wait to testify while Shafee and lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram make their arguments for and against omitting the 24 pages from the witness statement. 

Shafee argued that the hearsay in the statement would further incriminate his client Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is facing four counts of abuse of power for using his position as the then prime minister, finance minister and 1MDB board of advisers’ chairman to receive gratification worth RM2.28 billion.

He also faces 21 counts of money laundering involving over RM4.3 billion.

If the statement is allowed, Hazem will then take the stand to testify.

The Edge is covering the trial live here.

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