FORMER prime minister Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad trial will be adjourned at 2pm to allow him to campaign for the Chini by-election in Pahang later today.

Presiding judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah allowed a request by lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah to adjourn the hearing earlier, as the lawyer said he has an appointment with Wisma Putra this afternoon.

Shafee informed the court he had received a WhatsApp message last night informing him of the appointment.

He added that he had intended to formally apply for Najib to leave the court, but felt the Wisma Putra request was sufficient.

Shafee said Najib needed to be in Chini by 9pm to begin campaigning that will continue until midnight on Friday. Polling is this Saturday.

Sequerah also allowed tomorrow’s hearing to be vacated to allow Najib to be in Chini.  

Chini is a Pahang state seat within the Pekan parliamentary constituency, of which Najib serves as MP.

The by-election is the first to be held after the movement-control order was enforced on March 18.

Sequerah today allowed a request to tentatively delay proceedings from July 13 to 17, the week that the second sitting of the Dewan Rakyat begins.

Shafee said Najib has to be in Parliament when he needs to make a speech during a bill or during a vote.

 “Parliament isn’t like the court, Yang Ariff. Due to its dynamic nature, proceedings from the night can carry over,” said Shafee, adding that the defence can only be certain of the days Najib needs to be in Parliament later.

“I am inclined to proceed with the trial unless your client’s presence is required,” said Sequerah.

Najib, 66, is on trial for four counts of abusing his power to enrich himself with RM2.3 billion from 1MDB and 21 counts of laundering the same amount. He faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment if convicted of the offences.

Najib, who is Pekan Umno chief, will campaign for Umno’s Mohd Sharim Md Zain, who is contesting against two independents – Tengku Zainul Hisham Tengku Hussin and Mohd Shukri Mohd Ramli.

PAS has given way for Umno and BN to contest the seat.

The seat was vacated on May 7, after Abu Bakar Harun died at 59 from a heart attack at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. – July 1, 2020.