1MDB proceedings delayed for two days following death of Gopal Sri Ram
Gopal Sri Ram.
KUALA LUMPUR - The High Court's atmosphere was grim today after the prosecution team was informed of the death of Senior Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram at 12.15pm on Sunday.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib held back his tears during the proceedings of the corruption and money laundering case of RM2.3 billion of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds involving the former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak before the Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
Akram said the deceased was the chief prosecutor and was considered like a father to him.
"He was like a father and the team leader for us which is why we humbly ask the court to allow the adjournment of the proceedings for two days.
"We want to hold a discussion for the redistribution of duties as well as to pay our respects to the deceased for the last time, we hope to be there tomorrow," he said.
Najib's lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shaffee Abdullah expressed his condolences to the prosecution team.
He said the defence team does not object to the adjournment to pay their respect to the deceased.
Sequerah allowed for the 1MDB trial to be adjourned for two days and will continue on Thursday and Friday with the 41st prosecution witness Joanna Yu Ging Ping being cross-examined by Muhammad Shafee.
The 79-year-old former Federal Court judge was reported to be in a private hospital intensive care unit (ICU) to receive treatment for a lung infection.
On Nov 23, last year, during the 1MDB case proceedings, the prosecution team told the High Court here that the main examination of the case's main witness would be conducted by Sri Ram.
The court was informed that Sri Ram was on a three-day sick leave due to a fever.
Sri Ram returned to duty as usual and appeared in court for case proceedings in other courts.
He handled the corruption case involving Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's corruption with a solar energy supply project worth RM1.25 billion to 369 rural schools in Sarawak.
On Sunday, Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun said the prosecution in the 1MDB case will continue with the existing team which was the deputy prosecutor from the Attorney-General's Chambers and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
