Graft trial for Malaysia ex-PM Najib starts
04 April, 2019
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak appeared in court Wednesday for the start of his corruption trial, exactly 10 years after he was first elected to office only to suffer a spectacular defeat last year on allegations he pilfered millions of dollars from a state investment fund.
Attorney General Tommy Thomas said in his opening statement that Najib wielded “near absolute power” for nearly a decade. “The accused is not above the law and his prosecution and this trial should serve as precedents for all future holders of this august office,” Thomas said.
The trial was originally due to start in February, but was delayed by procedural matters. Najib’s lawyers on Wednesday filed an urgent motion to challenge the charges, which include criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power. The High Court judge said he will hear the application at a later date and ordered the trial to proceed.
Ten years ago this Wednesday, Najib became Malaysia’s sixth prime minister, but anger over the 1MDB investment fund scandal led to his electoral loss last May. U.S. investigators say more than $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB by associates of Najib between 2009 and 2014. They say the ill-gotten gains were laundered through layers of bank accounts in the United States and other countries to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels, a luxury yacht, art works, jewelry and other extravagances.
Some $700 million from the fund that Najib set up for Malaysia’s economic development allegedly landed in his own bank account. According to Thomas, Najib was the real power behind 1MDB and its fully owned subsidiary SRC “in directing and managing their affairs instead of the board of directors.”
One of only a few Southeast Asian leaders to be arraigned after losing office, Najib has denied any wrongdoing.
The 65-year-old was greeted by a small group of supporters as he arrived at the courthouse. They all bowed their heads in a short prayer before Najib went up to the courtroom.
Wednesday’s trial is the first of several against Najib, who has been charged with 42 counts in one of Malaysia’s biggest criminal proceedings. His wife, Rosmah Mansor, also has been charged with money laundering and tax evasion linked to 1MDB. She has also pleaded not guilty and her trial has not been set.