Judge turns down Najib’s adjournment application
KUALA LUMPUR: High Court judge Nazlan Ghazali turned down an application to adjourn the ongoing SRC trial today that was made by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“I am against the request for adjournment, as Parliament proceedings would go on for several weeks. It is not certain when the vote is (on any of the two bills),” the judge says.
“It is not an issue of the court obstructing the accused from attending Parliament.
“The important point is that the accused MP is also facing seven charges (that is the subject matter of today’s trial). I refuse the application for adjournment.”
The application was made on behalf of Najib by his lead defence counsel, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah who said that the former needs to attend the Dewan Rakyat sitting on the basis that there was a motion of “immense importance”.
Shafee said this in relations to the bill that seeks to compel all MPs to declare assets which is expected to be tabled for the first reading at 5pm.
“My client is an MP and he has a statutory duty to attend the Parliament session,” he said.
Attorney General Tommy Thomas who led the prosecution team today also objected to the application.
“When an accused is in court facing a criminal charge, the law must be treated the same way the lady of justice is blindfolded with her scales,” he said, adding that MPs should not be given special treatment.
He also pointed out that the trial is delayed even though the case is a matter of national importance.
“What we have is three days this week, and for next week Friday is exempted. We do not have every day in July for hearing.
“With respect, this is a poor reason. We have to give respect to the time given. Otherwise, members of the public will think why this trial is treated differently,” he said.
By: K Pragalath
