Najib pleads not guilty to corruption, breach of trust charges in 1MDB trial
Kuala Lumpur — Malaysia’s former leader Najib Razak has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption and criminal breach of trust in connection with a multibillion-dollar scandal surrounding state fund 1MDB. Appearing in the High Court on Wednesday, Najib was granted bail of 1-million ringgit ($247,000) and ordered to surrender his passports. He faces three counts of criminal breach of trust, and one charge under the anti-corruption act, and could be jailed for up to 20 years and fined. The former prime minister is seeking a trial for all charges. While the breach of trust charges carry punishments that include whipping — usually done with strokes of a rattan cane — Najib may be exempted for being more than 50 years old. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, whose coalition ousted Najib in May, has sought to recoup $4.5bn potentially siphoned from 1MDB. A parliamentary committee in 2016 identified at least $4.2bn in irregular transactions by the fund, with the US Department of Justice say...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.