Another dramatic decision under Madani administration — 1MDB’s suit against Najib's stepson discontinued!
Media reported yesterday that 1MDB’s suit in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur to recover US$248 million from Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak’s stepson, Encik Riza Aziz, and two companies linked to him has come to an abrupt end.
According to FMT, the company’s counsel, Encik Rabindra S Nathan, informed trial judge YM Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan yesterday afternoon that he was instructed by his client to discontinue the suit.
No reasons were given for the withdrawal in open court.
“Counsel for the defendants has no objection to the plaintiffs withdrawing the suit. The only pending issue is the costs,” he added.
Raja Ahmad then directed the parties to file written submissions on costs before he makes a ruling on Friday.
Trial of the suit began on 16 October with the plaintiffs — 1MDB and its subsidiaries 1MDB Energy Holdings Ltd, 1MDB Energy Ltd and 1MDB Energy (Langat) Ltd — calling four witnesses.
The witnesses who testified included former 1MDB general counsel Cik Jasmine Loo and its ex-CEO, Encik Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi.
The defendants — Riza, Red Granite Pictures and Red Granite Capital Ltd — called one witness, Encik Zamri Zainul Abidin, a senior Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officer
.Last week, Zamri testified that Riza’s representations in respect of five charges of money laundering involving US$248 million had been accepted five years ago.
He said the recovery and liquidation process conducted by the US department of justice against the defendants’ assets led to cash being transferred to the plaintiffs.
On 14 May 2020, the sessions court granted Riza a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on the prosecution’s application.
At the time, then ad hoc prosecutor the late Datuk Gopal Sri Ram told the court that Riza had agreed to fulfil certain obligations as part of the bargain.
In the present suit, 1MDB was seeking declarations that Riza and the two Red Granite companies he controlled, which produced the hit Hollywood film The Wolf of Wall Street, are liable to account for the funds misappropriated from 1MDB.
They also sought repayment of all misappropriated funds.
Lawyers Encik Saresh Mahendaren, Vimal Sathiaseelan, Cik Michelle Wong, Encik Seh Zhen Yang and Encik Ignatius Joel Nathan appeared for the plaintiffs while Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Cik Tania Scivetti, Encik Wan Azwan Aiman Wan Fakhruddin and Encik Aiman Ariz Zainal Alam acted for the defendants.
Adapted by Fauzi Kadir Chief Editor |
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