Najib trial continues, Aug 7 hearing of bid to disqualify Gopal Sri Ram

The High Court today rejected an application by Datuk Seri Najib Razak to adjourn his 1Malaysia Development Berhad audit tampering trial.

Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan also ordered that Najib’s application to disqualify lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram be heard on Aug 7.

The adjournment application comes following two affidavits filed separately on Friday by Najib and former Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali.

Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said earlier serious issues had arisen involving Sri Ram and the defence hoped the hearing would be adjourned until the application to disqualify Sri Ram is heard.

Sri Ram, however, said there was no reason for the trial to be adjourned as there was “nothing new” in the two affidavits. He added the defence had filed similar motions to get him disqualified previously but the matter had been dismissed by the Court of Appeal and later Federal Court.

Last week, Apandi had alleged that Sri Ram had met him in January 2018. Apandi claimed Sri Ram said he was sent by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to discuss the arrest of Najib. According to Apandi, Sri Ram had said “the police and a magistrate have been arranged” (to facilitate Najib’s arrest).

Following Apandi’s Facebook posting, Najib filed the fresh application to remove Sri Ram in the audit tampering trial while Apandi filed a supporting affidavit.

Najib, 67, is charged with using his position to order amendments to the 1MDB final audit report before it was presented to the Public Accounts Committee to avoid action being taken against him. Former 1MDB chief executive officer Arul Kanda is charged with abetting Najib to protect the former prime minister from being subjected to action.

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