The source said Najib could not agree with the strategy adopted by his legal team, led by Yusof Zainal Abideen, a former head of prosecution in the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“The legal team had to part ways with Najib due to client-solicitor differences,” the source told FMT.

The source added that Rosmah had similarly ended her legal relationship with the team led by senior lawyer M Puravelan.

The matter was reportedly aggravated by third-party interference.

“Several lawyers were vying to act for the couple, and this could have led to the disintegration,” the source said.

Najib and Rosmah were initially represented by lawyer Harpal Singh Grewal during the police searches of their private residence in Taman Duta and elsewhere.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), have stepped up investigations into the couple, including over money laundering.

MACC is updating its probe into RM42 million from former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International which was said to have been deposited into Najib’s private bank account, with Rosmah called in for questioning today.

Puravelan told FMT it had been a mutual decision to end the professional relationship.

“However, we continue to have a good personal relationship,” he told FMT on WhatsApp.

Yusof has yet to respond.