KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial, which was supposed to commence today after a two-week break, has been postponed as the former prime minister is still under home quarantine.
His lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, informed the court that his client has been served with an order to remain at home for 14 days after coming into close contact with a person who had tested positive for Covid-19.
He said Najib went to Sabah on Sept 22 for the 16th state election, where he was together with ministers who were exposed to people found positive for Covid-19.
"In the election campaign, the question of physical distancing as well as wearing of masks was no doubt adhered to, as much as they could, but in such circumstances, it is quite impossible to do 100 per cent adherence," he said.
In his application to adjourn the trial, Shafee said he was guided by Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who had, via his Instagram account, said that anyone who has tested negative for Covid-19, but has been in close contact or exposed to people who were infected, should adhere to the 14-day home surveillance order.
"He (Najib) had taken the responsible way of testing himself on Sept 27 in Sabah before taking the flight home and tested negative, but he was guided by what is said by the Senior Defence Minister who is in charge of Covid-19 (matters) on his social media posting," he said.
Shafee said because of the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases, Najib had also taken the immune boosting programme on Oct 3, besides observing the home surveillance order.
He added that his client's doctor, Dr Nazri Mokhtar, who administered the immune boosting programme, has advised Najib to undergo self-quarantine.
He said Najib could start attending his normal programmes from Oct 13th onwards.
"A serving minister was heavily criticised for not adhering to the self-quarantine order. My client does not want to be in that position," he said.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustafa P. Kunyalam said the prosecution had no objection to the postponement application.
High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah then allowed the application.
"In light of the current situation, it is a bit of a risk. Normally on the 13th day, symptoms can manifest. I suppose I receive the request. Trial is vacated from Monday to Thursday and we will resume on Oct 19,"the judge said.
Najib, 67, is facing 25 counts of abuse of power and money laundering involving RM2.28 billion of 1MDB funds which were deposited into his accounts between 2011 and 2014.