THE presiding judge in jailed former prime minister Najib Razak’s latest 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur adjourned proceedings today, having been told that Najib had been admitted to Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

Lead defence lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah that Najib was hospitalised yesterday.

“They (HKL) have not given the exact number of days (of admission) but definitely today is off,” Shafee told the court today, adding that Najib was not given a medical certificate because he had been admitted.

Shafee also revealed that Najib will be transferred to the National Heart Institute (IJN) later today for further checks. 

Sequerah then halted proceedings for the day, while adding that the trial will resume at 2.30pm tomorrow with an update on Najib’s condition.

Shafee subsequently told reporters that Najib is experiencing unexplained fluctuations in blood pressure.

Najib’s trial yesterday was also adjourned by lunch, as senior deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram relayed a message from the Prisons Department that Najib’s condition was “quite bad”.

“The accused’s medication for blood pressure has been changed and it has had adverse effects,” he said.

Also yesterday, Najib’s daughter Nooryana Najwa, posted on Instagram that HKL would not admit him for observation. 

She said Najib made the request after undergoing a scope procedure on Saturday, where he was said to have developed multiple stomach ulcers. 

“During the scope, the doctors at HKL also did a biopsy which led to some bleeding and the ulcer had to be clipped to stop the bleeding,” she posted on Instagram yesterday. 

“Najib asked to be admitted for observation at HKL but was denied, the doctor discharged him and he attended court. 

“The doctors also changed his medication from the usual that he had been taking for years and sent him back to Kajang (Prison).

“This morning (yesterday), a test by a medical assistant showed that Najib’s blood pressure is dangerously high, potentially due to the change in medication administered,” she added. 

Later yesterday evening, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Najib was discharged from HKL by specialists because he was in good health. 

He also said that Najib was admitted to HKL on Friday for an elective, non-emergency procedure and was attended to by specialists who were certified senior consultants.

Noor Hisham said HKL also held two conferences with the jailed former prime minister and his family.

He added that Najib and his family were informed of the results in line with professional medical practices, prior to the discharge.

Last night, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he has instructed the Health Ministry to give Najib the best treatment for his health.

He said on Twitter that he had been informed of Najib’s condition.

“I have ordered the Health Ministry to accord him the best treatment he needs.

“I pray for his speedy recovery,” he tweeted. – September 13, 2022.