KUALA LUMPUR: Umno and PAS leaders have been seen gathering at Umno headquarters here on Wednesday (Aug 18).

       Among them are former prime minister and Barisan Nasional adviser Datuk Seri Najib Razak, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Kuala Nerus MP Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali.

       Earlier, the High Court said Najib's 1MDB trial needed to proceed on Wednesday, despite a request for the former prime minister to attend a Barisan meeting at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL).

       Trial judge Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah said the court would stand down at about 10.30am for Najib to leave and head for the Umno headquarters.

       The judge added that the trial would resume at 2.30pm.

       Late Tuesday (Aug 17) night, Barisan and Umno had their respective meetings to decide on their choice of candidate for prime minister.

       Sources have indicated that Barisan and Umno had endorsed Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for the post.