Najib's 1MDB trial postponed after Sri Ram's death

The High Court today postponed the hearing of former prime minister Najib Razak’s trial on the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds.

Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah allowed the request by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib following the sudden passing of lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram.

"My Lord, you know Sri Ram was our boss and team leader and he was like a father to all of us. Today was set for continued hearing. But in light of the sudden demise of Sri Ram, we seek an adjournment for two days," said Akram.

He said the adjournment for today and tomorrow was to redistribute the case workload and to attend Sri Ram's wake.

"The wake for non-family members to pay their respects is tomorrow at Nirvana 2 Kuala Lumpur between 8am and 1pm, and he will then be cremated at Nirvana Shah Alam," said Akram.
 
Najib’s lead counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah raised no objections.

The court then allowed the postponement and fixed Thursday to continue with the hearing.

The trial had been scheduled to continue today with the defence continuing its cross-examination of former Ambank relationship manager Joanna Yu Ging Ping.

Sri Ram passed away at a private hospital yesterday at the age of 79. He was admitted to the ICU last week for a lung infection.

Sri Ram was the lead prosecutor in Najib’s 1MDB corruption case.

Najib, 70, faces four charges of using his position to get bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering.