Najib pleads not guilty to tampering 1MDB final audit report; bail granted at RM0.5 mil

SINGAPORE (Dec 12): Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak claimed trial earlier today at the Malaysian Sessions Court for allegedly tampering with a 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) final audit report.

See: Najib arrested for alleged tampering of 1MDB report

He pleaded not guilty to his offences and was released on a RM0.5 million ($0.16 million) bail.

Najib was accused of misusing his position to to evade disciplinary, civil or criminal action by way of ordering the final audit report to be changed before it was submitted to the Public Accounts Committee.

It is believed that Najib committed the offence at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya between 22 to 26 Feb, 2016.

This charge carries a maximum imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Earlier, former 1MDB CEO Aril Kanda also claimed trial to a criminal charge relating to the tampering of the 1MDB final audit report at the Sessions Court. Arul was charged with abetting Najib.

See: Former 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda arrested; to appear in court with Najib on Wednesday