KUALA LUMPUR: Former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz is expected to testify in Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption trial tomorrow.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib said the nation's former top banker would be on standby as a prosecution witness in the trial.
He said lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram would conduct the additional examination-in-chief of Zeti.
However, he said Sri Ram was on three days' medical leave due to fever.
"Thus, Zeti would read her witness statement first," he said.
Akram said the prosecution also would ensure that several other previous witnesses are on standby for the defence to resume their cross-examination.
Among others are Najib's former Ambank relationship manager Joanna Yu Ging Ping and former Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.
Earlier, Najib's lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah today continued his submissions to deny prosecution's application to admit his client's recorded private phone conversation with Saudi royalty.
Shafee argued the admission of the recordings would breach Article 5 (liberty of a person), Article 8 (equality), and Article 121 (judicial power of the Federation) of the Federal Constitution.
The senior lawyer argued the recordings were not legally obtained as it does not adhere to Section 43 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act.
Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah then interjected and said the prosecution had not come forth and explained how they obtained the recordings.
Shafee said he would be surprised if the prosecution divulges the source of the recordings.
"I will be surprised because it will show the true colour of the special branch in terms of wiretapping individuals.
"The person who recorded it must testify in court.
"I do not think he will ever come because it will be a confession (of them doing something wrong)," Shafee said.
However, Akram said the prosecution would call MACC's investigating officer to testify and identify the recordings.
Najib, 69, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totaling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
The trial continues tomorrow.