FORMER prime minister Najib Razak failed to show up at his 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial this morning, citing an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to pledge his support for the new prime minister.

His lawyer, Rahmat Haslan, told Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah that his client was currently at a meeting with other Barisan Nasional members of Parliament at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL).

“This morning, (lawyer) Tania (Scivetti) was supposed to carry out the cross-examination. We received news on new development from our client last night that 114 MPs have been summoned to the palace to confirm their support for Ismail Sabri Yaacob,” Rahmat told the court.

“The king is to interview each MP one by one and we are not sure what time our client’s turn is.”

He also informed the judge that Najib and the other MPs were leaving for the palace from WTCKL at 10.30am.

Sequerah, however, was not pleased with Rahmat’s explanation as to why Najib was not present.

“If the king summons, he has to be there and be obedient. (But) he should have had the courtesy to come here first,” he said.

“Your client better let me know what time he needs to be there, from what time to what time and, if necessary, the trial will continue beyond 4pm today.”

The judge gave the defence team 10 minutes to get back to him with an answer as to how long Najib will take to be in court.

Najib, who is the Pekan MP, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

When court resumed 10 minutes later, Rahmat said he could not confirm a time, only that Najib could be called up anytime between 10.30am and 4pm.

“I’m sorry that you have to be kept in suspense, but it’s unavoidable. All of us have duties to perform,” the judge told Rahmat.

“He (Najib) doesn’t have to be there the whole day, but I need a window of this time to give his opinion to the king and what time he can be here.”

Rahmat said he will inform the court as and when he receives an update from Najib’s officer.

“Keep me informed because I intend to carry on, come what may. We have lost too much time. He needs to commit, otherwise 2.30pm I will carry on,” Sequerah responded.

Yesterday, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan confirmed that MPs from Umno, Barisan Nasional, Bersatu, GPS and PAS have been summoned to Istana Negara between 10am and 4pm today.

They are being summoned in groups of 25 for the king to verify their support for Ismail. – August 19, 2021.