NAJIB TRIAL | Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak today failed in his attempt to seek an adjournment of his criminal trial today to attend a parliamentary debate on a Bill that would require all MPs to declare their assets.

This comes as Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali turned down the application by Najib's lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who told the court that it is critical for his client to be at Parliament today as the motion is a matter of "immense importance".

Shafee also cited several examples of past adjournments in court cases that involved MPs, including late Karpal Singh and Anwar Ibrahim.

According to the lawyer, his client was reasonable as he is only requesting an adjournment for the day, and possibly another to attend the debate on lowering the voting age to 18, compared to other cases where courts gave blanket adjournment to allow MPs attend the whole parliamentary session.

"He (Najib) anticipates (to attend) only two topics of immense importance. The second topic is a motion that would require a two-thirds majority on lowering the voting age to 18.

"For that to be in favour of the Bill, it needs a two-thirds support. And as My Lord knows, the government now does not have two-thirds (in parliament).

However, the application was objected by Attorney-General Tommy Thomas (photo), who described the request by Najib as a "frivolous application".

Thomas said that an MP, who is being accused of committing a criminal offence, should not be given special treatment.

"So the answer: we (prosecution) object to this. This is the price he has to pay; if an MP is accused of a criminal charge, he is not above the law.

"He is in the dock, he has to comply with all the rules that all accused (are subjected to). This is a poor excuse," he said.

After hearing submissions from both parties, Nazlan then ruled to reject the application.

"I am against the request for adjournment, as proceedings in Parliament would go on for several weeks. It is not certain when the vote is (on any of the two bills).

"It is not an issue of the court obstructing the accused from attending Parliament.

"The important point is that the accused is also facing seven charges (that is the subject matter of today's trial).

"I refuse the application for adjournment," Nazlan rules.

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