KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak's corruption trial for misappropriating 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds has been postponed to next Tuesday (Sept 17).
The delay is due to his continued treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital for severe knee inflammation and sleep apnea.
HKL Orthopedic and Traumatology Department senior consultant Dr Siti Hawa Tahir provided this update to the High Court before Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah today.
She said the medical team needs to monitor Najib's progress after prescribing him opioids two days ago.
"His medical certificate (MC) for today and tomorrow was issued based on yesterday's evaluation.
"In cases of acute inflammation, the condition is assessed on a day-to-day basis. He needs two days of rest.
"The pain has become better with opioids but he has developed some of the side effects which are nausea and drowsiness.
"Najib also has a sleep apnea which is a concern for all of us," she said inside the witness stand.
Sequerah also inquired whether the accused would be fit to attend the trial tomorrow (Friday), to which Dr Siti Hawa responded that it depends on the evaluation of a psychiatrist regarding the former premier's mental state, as he is on opioids.
"When we converse, Najib can understand and convey information about the symptoms he is experiencing.
"However, a psychiatrist would be in a better position to assess his mental condition before he comes to court, as it will take several hours for the drugs to clear from his bloodstream," she said.
Najib, 71, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
For the 21 charges of money laundering, the former Pekan member of parliament is accused of committing the offences between March 22, 2013, and Aug 30, 2013.