RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) said he was surprised to learn that the former prime minister was not present for the hearing of his SRC International case in the Court of Appeal today, and had applied for a postponement because one of his defence lawyers, Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee, was found to be Covid-19 positive.

Farhan is the son of lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

“Pekan (Najib) attended yesterday’s Dewan sitting. So, I would like to ask whether he underwent Covid-19 screening yesterday,” said Rayer, who also asked Najib to respect the judicial system by attending court hearings.

“Our democracy practises the tripartite system of government – the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary – and they all have to be respected. I do not want certain parties to think that they can attend Parliament sittings while skipping court trials.

“I hope that the Dewan will give attention to this matter,” said Rayer.

Deputy Speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon said he would look into Rayer’s complaint.

Earlier, the appellate court rejected a defence application to delay hearing Najib’s application to adduce fresh evidence in a bid to set aside his conviction in the RM42 million SRC International corruption appeal.

In a letter to the Court of Appeal’s registrar yesterday, Shafee sought to vacate the hearing for both today and tomorrow after Farhan tested positive for Covid-19 after three different tests.