NAJIB Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial was adjourned to the afternoon today, with the High Court allowing the former prime minister to attend the funeral of former aide. 

Najib is standing trial over the misappropriation of more than RM2 billion of 1MDB funds. He was not present in court this morning.

His lawyer, Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed informed judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah of his client’s applications.

The court was told that Najib’s former principal private secretary Ab Aziz Kassim died this morning and will be buried today.

“I have two applications My Lord, as My Lord can see, my client is not in court today. So first application is to seek My Lord’s permission for my client’s attendance this morning to be dispensed with,” Wan Aizuddin said.

“This individual was in fact the former chief secretary to the then former deputy prime minister and prime minister, my client Najib. 

“He was informed about the death early this morning and due to the nature of the relationship, the closeness, due to the years of service, my client is seeking My Lord’s permission for him to not be present this morning to attend the funeral procession,” he said.

The final rites began at 8.30am with pre-burial prayers at 9.30am and with the burial procession to take place about 11.30am. 

“Under those circumstances can I pray for those proceedings today to start at about 2.30pm, after lunch,” asked Wan Aizuddin.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib then said the prosecution had been informed about the matter and had no objection to Najib’s applications.

The trial will resume at 2.30pm. – May 11, 2022.