KUALA LUMPUR: The RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been adjourned to Jan 26.

       High Court judge Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah vacated the hearing here yesterday after the prosecution informed the court that it was unable to produce witnesses for the day.

       The court had ordered for a replacement witness as Azmi Tahir, who was the former 1MDB chief financial officer, was unable to take the stand having fallen ill.

       Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib told the court that the prosecution had reached out to other witnesses but they were unable to leave work.

       “I apologise for this. We cannot get any of them to come on a very short notice.

       “Most of them have started working already and have matters to attend to.

       “I humbly apply for the trial to be vacated today,” he said.

       Justice Sequerah said the court had no choice but to vacate the trial for the day.

       “Thank you for at least making the effort,” the judge said.

       Earlier in the morning, the court was informed that Azmi, who was supposed to take the stand, was on medical leave as he had developed a fever.

       “I have tried to call five other witnesses to replace,” Ahmad Akram said.

       The five are KPMG auditor Johan Idris, Najib’s former officer Wan Ahmad Shihab Wan Ismail, former 1MDB director Tan Sri Ismee Ismail and former company secretaries Lim Poh Seng and Goh Gaik Kim.

       “However, Johan is in London and will only be available after Jan 29.

       “Wan Shihab is having diarrhoea and Ismee is under quarantine,” he added.

       The prosecutor said Lim has to go for his booster shot appointment while Goh has to attend important meetings that she could not cancel.

       Najib, 69, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.28bil from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.