A lawyer for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak made a surprise appearance at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today in former minister Zaid Ibrahim's ex-parte application against Ambank Islamic Bhd.

Zaid's application is for the bank to disclose the sources of funds in five accounts, said to be totalling US$731 million and believed to be owned by the prime minister.

The lawyer for Najib, Rishwant Singh, appeared before High Court judge S Nantha Balan and said he was representing Najib together with senior lawyer Cecil Abraham.

Rishwant told the judge in chambers that they wanted the cause papers on Zaid's application against Ambank Islamic as it was related to the former minister's other suit filed against Najib, 1MDB, the government and his stepson Riza Aziz.

The bank account numbers are 211-202-200969-4, 211-202-201188-0, 211-202-201190-6, 211-202-200989-8 and 211-202-201189-8.

Zaid filed the ex-parte originating summons on behalf of taxpayers and the people on Oct 21, naming Ambank Islamic as the sole respondent.

He wants a court order for him and his lawyers to inspect and take copies of the PM's accounts and for the bank to disclose the sources of income and payments made for all five accounts up to Sept 30 this year, within three days of the service of the order.

In his supporting affidavit, the former minister said he is the plaintiff in the other suit where Najib operated the five accounts.

Of these five accounts, he said the one bearing 211-202-200969-4, was closed by the PM on Aug 30, 2013.

“The monies were paid into Najib's accounts with Ambank and dealt by the bank in accordance to Najib's or his nominee's instructions.

“This information is relevant and material in respect to matters pleaded against Najib that are required in the other suit and we humbly pray that the court grants the order in terms,” Zaid states in the affidavit.

He was represented today by lawyers Americk Sidhu and Nizam Bashir.

Judge recuses himself

Rishwant informed the judge that since Cecil is appearing, the senior lawyer may have a problem appearing in the case before this court.

It is understood that Cecil and Nantha Balan were former partners at the law firm Zul Rafique & Co.

Following this, the judge agreed to recuse himself from hearing the matter and the case was transferred to Justice Noraini Abdul Rahman, who is also presiding over the other suit against Najib.

The deputy registrar fixed Nov 24 for mention of this case before Justice Noraini.

It was reported that Zaid filed the representative action suit last August, for breach of fiduciary duty.

The former minister wants Najib to return the US$731 million deposited into his private bank accounts to the government and the RM42 million, which Najib received from 1MDB former subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd, to be returned to the government and 1MDB as well.