Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's RM2.28 billion 1MDB trial started this morning with some drama as his lead defence lawyer Shafee Abdullah engaged in a prolonged argument with Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

Shafee had started the morning by requesting the judge to allow more lawyers into the courtroom but justice Sequerah maintained that he must comply with restrictions as a precaution against the Covid-19 pandemic.