“Please impress upon your client the need to be present and punctual,” said Sequerah.

The lawyer then apologised, explaining that Najib had gone to perform the Muslim midday prayers at Masjid Wilayah, a stone’s throw away from the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex, during the lunch break.

The afternoon session was set to begin at 2.30pm, but when the judge entered the courtroom right on time, Najib was nowhere to be seen.

Ad-hoc prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram said if this repeatedly happened, then the court should consider further bail conditions.

The judge, who was presiding over the case for a fifth day, then stood down for about five minutes to wait for Najib.

During the morning session, Najib was also about five minutes late in entering the courtroom following a 15-minute break at 11.15am.

This forced the judge to stand down to wait for Najib, before the trial resumed at 11.30am.

Najib is facing 25 charges of money laundering and abuse of power over alleged 1MDB funds in his AmBank accounts.

The ex-prime minister was also reprimanded a number of times during the SRC International Sdn Bhd trial. Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali rebuked him for his tardiness.