Najib’s appeal, trial vacated after defence lawyer quarantined
KUALA LUMPUR: The SRC International Sdn Bhd appeal and 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial involving Datuk Seri Najib Razak scheduled for this week have been vacated as one of the defence lawyers has been quarantined due to Covid-19 fears.
Farhan Shafee, who is part of the defence team, said: “Both the SRC appeal and 1MDB trial had to be vacated this week because a key member of our team has to undergo testing and quarantine after coming into close contact with a number of confirmed Covid-19 patients.
“Considering that the rest of the team has been working closely with him, the necessary precautions need to be taken.”
Najib was scheduled to attend the 1MDB hearings this week with former chief executive officer Mohd Hazem Abd Rahman, the 10th prosecution witness, continuing his testimony.
The trial was put on hold as Najib’s appeal against his conviction and sentence in the SRC International case was being heard at the Court of Appeal.
Najib, 69, is facing four charges of abusing his position to obtain gratification totalling RM2.28 billion in 1MDB funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same funds.
In the SRC case, Najib was sentenced to 12 years’ jail and a RM210 million fine after being found guilty of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of position involving the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC’s coffers.
His appeal hearing is scheduled to continue this Thursday.