FORMER prime minister Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial has been adjourned to this afternoon following an application by the prosecution.

Senior deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram, who leads the prosecution, is being tied up with another commercial case in the Federal Court this morning, confirmed deputy public prosecutor Akram Gharib when contacted today.

Najib’s criminal hearing will proceed after lunch, he said.

The prosecution’s ninth witness, former 1MDB CEO Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi will be cross-examined by lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abullah for the fifth day today.

Najib, 66, is on trial for four counts of power abuse to enrich himself with RM2.3 billion from 1MDB and 21 counts of laundering the same amount.

He faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB and 21 charges of laundering the same amount.

Former Federal Court judge Sri Ram is leading the prosecution before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah. – October 14, 2019.