THE prosecution will commence its case against former prime minister Najib Razak over SRC International Sdn Bhd funds on Wednesday, with three witnesses expected to testify.

The date was set following the Federal Court’s decision to lift the stay of proceedings order granted by the Court of Appeal to Najib, which he applied for on February 8 to stall the trial pending the disposal of his appeals over interlocutory matters.

Chief Justice Richard Malanjum, who led a seven-man Federal Court panel, said the appellate court did not have jurisdiction to do so, and ordered the high court to set the trial date.

Najib’s SRC International trial, initially slated to be held from February 12 to March 29, was put on hold twice after the Court of Appeal, on February 11 and March 21, granted a stay of proceedings pending related appeals.

Attorney-General’s Chambers sources said the prosecution, led by Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, will start the case with an opening statement by Thomas.

“After that, the first witness will be called to testify. We have on standby three witnesses, but it depends on how the trial goes on that day.

“We have also prepared witness statements, and after the witnesses read out their statements, the defence will cross-examine them.”

They said the witnesses comprised “government officers and bankers” subpoenaed by the prosecution on Friday.

“The prosecution prepared more than 60 witnesses to take the stand in the trial.”

On July 4 last year, Najib was charged at the sessions court with three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of abuse of power in connection with SRC International funds totalling RM42 million.

On August 8 last year, he entered a not guilty plea to three charges of having received RM42 million in proceeds from unlawful activities in two of his accounts four years ago.

The trial on Wednesday will be held before justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.

Besides Thomas, the prosecution team comprises deputy public prosecutors Sulaiman Abdullah, V. Sithambaran, Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria, Manoj Kurup, Budiman Lutfi Mohamed and Muhammad Izzat Fauzan.

Counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah is leading the defence. He is assisted by lawyers Harvinderjit Singh, Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee, Rahmat Hazlan and Syahirah Hanapiah. – Bernama, April 1, 2019.