Najib’s health condition 'quite bad', needs to see doc: DPP

1MDB Trial | Najib Abdul Razak needed to see the doctor by 2pm this afternoon due to his health condition which was “quite bad”, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard this morning.

Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Gopal Sri Ram informed trial judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah about the former prime minister’s health condition, which necessitated the accused’s RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial to end earlier later today.

The DPP said a Kajang Prison officer informed the prosecution that the matter was related to Najib’s blood pressure medication which has changed.

“(The health condition) Has (an) adverse impact (on Najib) and he needs to be sent to the doctor.

“His condition is quite bad. The Prison Department needs to take him to the doctor, latest by 2pm,” said Sri Ram who was applying for an earlier adjournment of the criminal trial.

Sequerah allowed the application and the trial then proceeded with the ongoing testimony of 37th prosecution witness R Uma Devi, who managed AmBank’s branch at Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur.

Separately, Najib's special officer Muhamad Mukhlis Maghribi revealed that doctors at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) performed a scope on the former premier and discovered multiple new ulcers, a recurring problem since 15 years ago.

He said the doctors also performed a biopsy which led to some bleeding and several ulcers had to be clipped to stop the bleeding.

“Najib requested for observation at HKL but was denied and the doctor discharged him, changed his medication from the usual that he had been taking for years and sent him back to Kajang.

“This morning, a test by a medical assistant showed that Najib's blood pressure is dangerously high due to the change in medication administered.

“This led to the deputy public prosecutors telling the judge this morning that Najib's health condition is bad and will need to be sent to hospital,” Mukhlis added.

Abuse of power, money laundering

Najib is on trial for four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.28 billion from 1MDB.

The Pekan MP was alleged to have committed four counts of corruption at AmIslamic Bank Berhad’s Jalan Raja Chulan branch in Bukit Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur, between Feb 24, 2011, and Dec 19, 2014.

On the 21 money laundering charges, Najib was purported to have committed the offences at the same bank between March 22, 2013, and Aug 30, 2013.

The prosecution contended that the wrongdoing at 1MDB was carried out by fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) and several others, with Najib’s blessings.

The accused’s defence team, however, claimed the former premier and finance minister had no knowledge of the crime perpetrated at 1MDB and the embezzlement was solely masterminded by Low and other members of the fund’s management.

Both 1MDB and SRC International are fully owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc).

Najib also used to be the chairperson of 1MDB’s board of advisers and served as adviser emeritus to SRC International.

He is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence, after the Federal Court on Aug 23 dismissed his appeal against the SRC International conviction over seven criminal charges, as well as the custodial term and RM210 million fine in lieu of an additional five years in jail.

Suit against Thomas 'collateral' attack on ongoing criminal cases - lawyer

Najib responsible for transactions in his personal accounts - banker

Pardon for Najib not legally possible now, says Tommy Thomas

1MDB audit: Prosecution closes case against Najib, Arul Kanda

Banker: Najib issued 38 cheques worth RM8.4m between 2011 and 2012

Tommy Thomas: You cannot hold the Federal Court to ransom

Witness: 1MDB management unresponsive after securing US$3b loan

Najib seeks review in RM42m SRC graft case

1MDB trial: Najib never disputed credit card spending - banker