KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s criminal breach of trust trial involving RM6.64 billion in government funds paid to the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) could not proceed as scheduled today after prosecutors said they were still considering a representation from the second accused in the case.
Earlier at the onset of hearing, deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi indicated to the High Court an instruction relayed by Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun for more time to be given and another date fixed to update the status of the representation bids.
“Due to the amount involved in this case which is around RM6 billion, there is a need for more time to consider the matters raised in the representation,” he said.
Muhammad Saifuddin then asked the court for September 1 to be fixed as the next date.
Najib’s lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said he has no objections to the prosecution’s request.
However, lawyer Datuk K. Kumaraendran appearing for former Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah — the second accused — raised concerns over the length of the trial which has prolonged since 2018.
“I have no objections, but I just want to mention that the charges have been hanging over my client’s head for over five years since he was charged in 2018.
“September is too long. I would suggest either in mid-July and again ask the court to indulge us on this matter since the charges are hanging over my client and it’s not fair,” he said.
High Court judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin then fixed August 9 for mention.
In October 2018, Najib and Mohd Irwan Serigar pleaded not guilty to six charges of CBT amounting to RM6.6 billion in government funds involving payments to IPIC.
Najib and Mohd Irwan Serigar were jointly accused of committing all the offences at the Finance Ministry Complex, Putrajaya between December 21, 2016, and December 18, 2017.
They were charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the same code which provides for a maximum of 20 years in jail and whipping as well as fine upon conviction.
