THE SRC International trial, three days away from the prosecution wrapping up its case, has been adjourned after former prime minister Najib Razak called in sick with conjunctivitis.

Lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning that a doctor advised his client to stay home until Friday.

“At 7.45am, I received a call from Najib, who obviously did not sound well, informing me that he has conjunctivitis in both eyes.

“This must have happened overnight because I have been made to understand from Dr Balqis, an eye specialist in Mid Valley, that it must have started on the 13th, yesterday.”

Shafee said pictures of the medical certificate and Najib’s condition were shown to ad hoc deputy public prosecutor V. Sithambaram.

“On the part of the prosecution. I confirmed that it looks pretty bad in both eyes. In lieu of the medical condition, the prosecution supports the application of adjournment,” said Sithambaram.

To a question whether Najib could recover within 48 hours, Shafee said the doctor advised that he not come into contact with anyone as his condition is infectious.

Presiding judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali ruled: “Given the reason for the application for adjournment which is on medical grounds and naturally not objected by the prosecution, the court has no choice but to adjourn the matter and call for case management on Monday.”

Lawyers will be present at 10am Monday before Nazlan, after seeking an indication from high court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah, the presiding 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial judge, whether the latter would give up 1MDB hearing dates to give way for the SRC International trial.

Shafee said the defence would still need about two days to cross-examine the prosecution’s final witness, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer Rosli Husain.

The SRC International trial, which began on April 3 was to have ended on Friday. The 1MDB trial is scheduled to run from August 19 until November 14.

The Federal Court yesterday dismissed Najib’s appeal to postpone the 1MDB trial, which is now expected to start by August 28, two weeks after the defence were presented pre-trial evidentiary documents that includes witness statements.

Sequerah on Monday is also expected to rule on the prosecution’s request that the 1MDB trial begin later this month. – August 14, 2019.