Najib, Arul Kanda freed in 1MDB audit report case

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today acquitted former prime minister Najib Razak and former 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy in their 1MDB audit report tampering case. 

The decision was delivered by justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.

Zaini said the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against them at the end of its case.

He also said that Arul Kanda, who was called as a prosecution witness, had made a truthful and full discovery during the trial.

Najib, who is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence for the misappropriation of SRC International funds, was charged with using his position to order amendments to the final 1MDB audit report before it was presented to the Public Accounts Committee to avoid any action against him.

Arul Kanda, was charged with abetting Najib in making the amendments to the report, to protect Najib from being subjected to action.

The offence was allegedly committed at the Prime Minister's Department Complex, Putrajaya, between Feb 22 and 26, 2016.

Both Najib and Arul Kanda were charged under Section 23 (1) of the MACC Act, which provides for a 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.