KUALA LUMPUR: The RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial is on hold as former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is still a casual contact as reflected in his MySejahtera status.

       Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah postponed the hearing to tomorrow after being informed by lawyer Datuk Hariharan Tara Singh that Najib’s MySejahtera status was yellow, indicating that the Pekan MP was a casual contact.

       “He is at the car park. As it is, under the casual contact category, he is not allowed to enter court premises,” Hariharan said here yesterday.

       Only those with blue MySejahtera status, or at low risk, are allowed to enter the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex.

       Apart from Najib, lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah has an orange status (indicating “a close contact”) on his MySejahtera app, said Hariharan.

       “There is a home surveillance order on Muhammad Shafee as well. The fact is, both of them were in contact with Muhammad Shafee’s son, Muhammad Farhan on Dec 6.

       “The 10-day quarantine period will expire on Dec 15,” he added.

       Yellow indication: Najib showing his MySejahtera app at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex. — Bernama

       Hariharan suggested that the court proceed with the hearing tomorrow, which was allowed by Justice Sequerah.

       The court also dismissed an application by the prosecution to conduct a hybrid proceeding in view of the situation where Najib is unable to enter court premises.

       “For now, I decide against the hybrid proceeding but I am not ruling it out in the future,” the judge said.

       Yesterday, the prosecution applied for the court to allow a hybrid proceeding under Section 15A of the Court of Judicature Act (Amendment) 2020, which would enable the court to conduct a remote proceeding with Najib, who is barred from entering the court complex due to his MySejahtera status.

       Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib made the application, but it was objected to by Hariharan on the grounds that the defence would not be able to consult their client if they were to attend the proceedings separately virtually due to Najib being under quarantine.

       “It’s just impossible and it will be prejudicial to Najib,” Hariharan had said.

       Najib, 68, 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.