KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak's corruption trial involving billions of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MBD) funds at the High Court was cut short today due to his worsening health issues.
The drama unfolded when the former prime minister complained about his blood pressure and sought medical attention in the midst of proceedings.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram informed presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah that Najib's blood pressure had changed due to his recent medication.
"The Prisons Department's officer informed me that Najib's condition is quite bad as his new medicine has had an adverse effect on him.
"However, Najib is prepared to go through the proceedings until 12.30pm before his appointment with his doctor at 2pm," he said.
Sequerah agreed and ordered the proceedings to end at 12.30pm.
The Pekan member of parliament, clad in a grey suit, was seen to be calm when he sat in the dock during the proceedings.
His wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, also attended the proceedings and sat right behind him in the public gallery.
Their daughter, Nooryana Najwa, in her social media account, said the doctor discovered multiple new ulcers in her father's stomach when he was referred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) on Saturday.
"Daddy had a scope on Saturday and the doctor discovered multiple new ulcers in his stomach. It (has been) a recurring problem for more than 15 years.
"During the scope, the doctor at HKL also did a biopsy which led to some bleeding and the ulcer had to be clipped to stop the bleeding.
"Daddy requested for observation at HKL but was denied and the doctor discharged him. Today dad 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, a test by a medical assistant showed that daddy's blood pressure is dangerously high, potentially due to the change in medication administered," she said.
Nooryana pleaded with the prison authorities, the hospital and the government to "do the right thing" and allow Najib to receive proper medical care and observation.
Meanwhile, during the proceedings, Ambank Jalan Raja Chulan branch manager R. Uma Devi during examination-in-chief by Sri Ram testified that Najib never complained about the amounts in his bank account.
The 43-year-old banker also testified that Najib never filed any lawsuit against the bank while he held five accounts with the bank between 2011 and 2015.
Uma Devi was also a witness in Najib's corruption trial involving SRC International, where he was found guilty and sentenced to 12 years' jail and fined RM210 million.
She said all customers would receive their bank statements monthly which listed all transactions in their respective accounts.
Sri Ram: Does your bank have a system where the customer is sent bank statements at intervals?
Uma Devi: Yes. Monthly intervals.
Sri Ram: In this case, did the accused ever complain about the statements of his account to the bank?
Uma Devi: To my knowledge, even in the SRC case, there were no complaints.
Sri Ram: Between 2015 and 2018, did the accused file any lawsuit against Ambank for mishandling his account to your knowledge?
Uma Devi: To my knowledge, no.
Najib, 69, 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.
Hearing will resume on Tuesday.