KUALA LUMPUR – Disgraced former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s hearing on the alleged misappropriation of RM2.23 billion of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds will resume tomorrow morning as scheduled.
Today’s hearing was cut short and ended at 12.30pm, much earlier compared to previous case proceedings.
The Vibes was made to understand by the prosecution team that the proceedings will resume at 9am tomorrow in front of high court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
Earlier today, lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram told the high court here that he had been informed by Prison Department officers that a recent change to Najib’s high blood pressure medication has had an adverse impact on the Pekan MP’s health.
As such, he requested for the court to adjourn by 12.30pm today so Najib could be allowed to attend his medical appointment at 2pm.
Sri Ram added that the Umno man would have to return to Kajang Prison to make the necessary arrangements before heading to hospital.
“The Prison Department will have to take him to the doctor by 2pm, because his condition is quite bad. I request that the court be adjourned at 12.30pm for the day.”
On September 4, Najib, who is serving his 12-year prison sentence, was admitted to Kuala Lumpur Hospital but was in stable condition.
His daughter, Nooryana Najwa, later revealed that Najib had recurring stomach issues, as he is “highly prone” to stomach ulcers.
The trial is expected to resume by hearing the testimony of AmBank Jalan Raja Chulan branch manager R. Uma Devi.
Najib began his imprisonment on August 23, after the apex court upheld the high court’s guilty verdict for all seven charges in his SRC International Sdn Bhd corruption case.
In the ongoing 1MDB trial, he faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. – The Vibes, September 12, 2022
