THE start date of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd trial has been delayed yet again, pending the outcome of former prime minister Najib Razak’s other cases.

Lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah today told Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah that the SRC International Sdn Bhd trial is ongoing, and the Court of Appeal will on Monday hear a judicial review application by the defence to challenge Gopal Sri Ram’s appointment as senior ad hoc prosecutor in the 1MDB trial.

For the SRC International trial, Shafee said, the defence will not be able to complete its cross-examination of the prosecution’s final witness, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer Rosli Husain, by Monday, which had been tentatively set as the 1MDB trial’s start date.

“We will try to cut down on our cross-examination, but it will take 2½ days.”

Sequerah ordered the matter to be heard again tomorrow afternoon, after the SRC International hearing for the day is completed.

Earlier this week, the judge had set next Monday as the tentative start date for the 1MDB trial, but said he was willing to allow an adjournment so that the prosecution could wrap up its case in the SRC International proceedings.

For the 1MDB trial, Sequerah repeated a proposal that the prosecution first call formal witnesses, who are only required to give oral statements.

Sri Ram told the court that the prosecution is open to the suggestion.

Shafee maintained that September 3, a date suggested by Sri Ram earlier this week, is an appropriate start date.

“We haven’t been able to read the documents because the two cases are ongoing.”

He also referred to reports that 1MDB whistle-blower Xavier Andre Justo had just handed over 257,000 documents to MACC.

Shafee requested that the defence be allowed to go through the documents given by the former PetroSaudi International executive.

In response, Sri Ram said: “I’ve never heard of this… If my learned friends want, they can pursue. We are ready.”

In his 1MDB trial, Najib faces 25 charges of money-laundering and abuse of power, relating to RM2.28 billion in the state investor’s funds deposited into his AmBank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014.

After Rosli finishes his testimony, the prosecution will conclude its case in the SRC International hearing. About a month after that, both sides are expected to present their oral submissions.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali will then decide whether there is a prima facie case against Najib.

The former prime minister faces seven criminal charges in his SRC International trial. He is accused of receiving RM42 million in his personal accounts between December 2014 and February 2015.

The trial involving SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB, resumes today. – August 22, 2019.