The three trials involving former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is facing various charges on money laundering, abuse of power and criminal breach of trust, will be conducted in Kuala Lumpur.
Chief Judge of Malaya Zaharah Ibrahim said the courts at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya are not suitable to hold the trials.
"The AG (Tommy Thomas) has been informed about this decision and was asked to relate it to the others," she told reporters at the elevation of new Federal Court and Court of Appeal judges yesterday.
Justice Zaharah was asked about the prosecution's application to transfer the hearing of the cases to the courts in Putrajaya.
There are two courtrooms at the Federal Court and six at the Court of Appeal.
Najib's SRC International Sdn Bhd case has been fixed for this Thursday, at which the defence application to get the recorded statements of the witnesses by the MACC will be heard.
The prosecutors said they will object the application as they have handed over all related documents pertaining to the case.
It was reported last month that senior lawyer Sulaiman Abdullah, who was appointed the lead prosecutor, had asked that the case is transferred to Putrajaya.
Sulaiman made the application in Kuala Lumpur, before High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, where he also stated that he would write to Justice Zaharah on this matter.
Sulaiman said if the court allows the trial to be held there, it would be easier as most of the (prosecution) witnesses are in Putrajaya and the documents are there.
"Security can be properly managed and we can give the public greater access, as the court is bigger," he said, adding that there would be lesser traffic congestion.
On Oct 31, Najib's defence team objected to the transfer as the court in Kuala Lumpur had accommodated a video link in the courtroom for the media to observe. - Mkini
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