KUALA LUMPUR (BLOOMBERG) - The trial of Malaysia's former leader Najib Razak for his alleged role in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal will resume next week as the country relaxes its lockdown.

All relevant parties including Najib have been told to attend court on May 13, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib.

The country allowed nearly all sectors of the economy to reopen starting Monday (May 4) after nearly seven weeks of restricted movement, even as many states deferred the move as they need further review.

The trial is set to resume with Najib's lawyer questioning witnesses, after the proceeding was adjourned on March 12 due to concern that his defence team may have been exposed to the new coronavirus.

Najib is facing five trials, the first of which - involving seven charges linked to US$10 million (S$14.2 million) misappropriated from a 1MDB unit - is expected to reach a verdict within months.