Court to decide tomorrow if Najib's 1MDB trial can start next week

The Kuala Lumpur High Court will decide tomorrow whether the 1MDB criminal trial against former premier Najib Abdul Razak can start next week.

This comes as Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah this morning ordered counsels from both the prosecution and defence to update him on the progress of the SRC International trial at 4.30pm tomorrow.

In giving the order, Sequerah had listened earlier to both parties during 1MDB case management this morning on whether the trial can proceed on Aug 26.

The judge had earlier this week adjourned the trial, which was scheduled to start on Aug 21, to next Monday. 

He was then told by DPP Gopal Sri Ram that they have another matter at the Court of Appeal, which set the same date to hear a civil appeal by Najib's defence team to recuse Sri Ram from prosecuting the case. 

Upon this, Sequerah (above) then told the parties he can give way for the matter on Monday, and have the 1MDB hearing start on Tuesday morning.

However, lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told the court that they might need more time as the cross-examination of a MACC investigating officer in the SRC International trial might spill over to next week.

Shafee also cited that the defence could not focus on their preparation for the 1MDB trial as they are also occupied with the two other matters.

He then requested for the judge's discretion to fix the starting date for 1MDB trial on Sept 3.

Sequerah then told both parties to appear before him at 4.30pm tomorrow to update him on the progress of the SRC International hearing.

- Mkini