This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on August 15, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s SRC International Sdn Bhd trial has been postponed to Monday because the former premier has an eye infection.

His lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told the court that Najib is having conjunctivitis in both eyes, which happened overnight.

“I am made to understand from his conversation with Dr Balqis at Mid Valley eye centre that it must have started yesterday (Tuesday),” he said, adding that Najib was granted a three-day medical leave until tomorrow.

The lawyer said he has shared the medical chit and photographs of Najib’s eyes with deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Datuk V Sithambaram, saying the prosecution did not object.

“It looks pretty bad in both eyes. In view of the accused’s medical condition, the prosecution supports the adjournment. Conjunctivitis is highly contagious. We might all end up with the same infection,” said the DPP in jest.

He then suggested the case be called for mention tomorrow, with the prosecution to speak to the team involved in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case to facilitate the SRC case’s continuation, at least until completing the prosecution’s case.

Sithambaram said the prosecution needed to first discuss with Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah before the mention tomorrow, but Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali said Justice Sequerah will be away, only to return on Monday.

The parties then agreed to have the mention for the SRC case fixed for 10am on Monday, also the day when the 1MDB, otherwise known as the Tanore trial, is slated to begin.

However, it remains to be seen if the trial will actually begin on that date, especially if the SRC trial continues.

Justice Sequerah, the 1MDB trial judge, is expected to make a decision on Monday.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Shafee said the cross-examination of the 57th prosecution witness, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer Rosli Hussain, may take up to two days.