Court calls for Najib’s defence in RM2.27b 1MDB corruption and money laundering trial
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is pictured under heavy security escort at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Complex on October 30, 2024. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Wednesday, 30 Oct 2024 11:16 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s trial for corruption and money laundering involving 1Malaysia Development Berhad’s (1MDB) RM2.27 billion funds will continue as the High Court today ordered him to defend himself in this case.
Trial judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah said the prosecution had succeeded in proving a prima facie case for all 25 charges in the 1MDB trial against Najib.
The 71-year-old Najib was given three choices: to remain silent; become his own defence witness and give his statement under oath from the witness stand; or give an unsworn statement from the dock.
He chose to testify from the witness stand for all 21 money-laundering charges.
Najib was charged six years ago in September 2018 with four counts of power abuse and 21 money-laundering charges in relation to 1MDB’s RM2.27 billion, including over RM2 billion which was alleged to have entered his personal bank accounts.
Najib is currently a prisoner, as he was convicted in a separate trial over ex-1MDB unit SRC International Sdn Bhd’s RM42 million.
His 12-year jail term and RM210 million fine in that SRC case was reduced to six years’ jail and RM50 million fine by the Federal Territories Pardons Board earlier this year.
Supporters of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak gather outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court Complex on October 30, 2024. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
At around 8am, at least 50 of Najib’s supporters were seen gathering outside the court complex here, and were heard shouting “Bebas Bossku!” briefly.
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