KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 27): Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today complained, through his lawyer, that he had to seek treatment for a sore back after sitting on the wooden bench in the accused dock during his SRC International Sdn Bhd hearings.
Lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali that sitting continuously on the wooden seat for one or two hours would be uncomfortable and painful for anyone.
"My client complained of ache to his back and buttocks and this resulted in him having a pain in his head due to headache, as a result of his age.
"He (Najib) is about the same age as I am. I have also endured having to sit on the wooden bench for two hours (in a separate case). At our age, we do not have much flesh (on our buttocks).
"It (sitting on the bench for long period) goes against the concept of innocent until proven guilty as my client is already suffering and enduring the pain (of a long trial)," he said.
Shafee said the former premier had to seek treatment every time after hearing ends for the day.
Najib, with the help of his aide, has brought two pillows — one to support his back and the other placed on the wooden bench — to cushion him.
The courtrooms for the both the High Court and subordinate court at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex have a permanent wooden bench in the accused dock.
This is unlike the situation in the Court of Appeal and Federal Court, where the accused is provided a more comfortable seating in the dock.
Shafee brought this matter up as the prosecution finished its case following the cross-examination and re-examination of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer Rosli Hussain.
Shafee when speaking to reporters later, emphasised the need to provide some comfort to accused persons.
"Even if you are young, you may face the problem (sitting on the wooden bench). But imagine if you are over 60 and having to sit there for hours," he said.
Shafee suggested that the bench be padded up with cushion to reduce the impact.
Najib is facing seven charges in relation to abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering, allegedly involving RM42 million of SRC funds, between Dec 26, 2014 and Feb 10, 2015.
Justice Nazlan has fixed Nov 11 to deliver his decision on whether to order Najib to enter his defence, after fixing Oct 22 and 23 to hear submissions from both sides.