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Malaysia’s Najib in last-ditch bid to delay trial
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Malaysia’s former prime minister
Najib Razak was making a last-ditch bid Monday to delay the start of his
trial over the 1MDB scandal, which contributed to his government’s shock
election defeat.
Najib is due to go on trial Tuesday for the first time over allegations
that he was involved in the looting of Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB
in a fraud that stretched around the world.
Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen by Najib and his cronies from the
fund, which was set up to help develop Malaysia’s economy, and spent on
everything from high-end real estate to expensive artworks.
The scandal was a major factor in his long-ruling coalition’s loss at polls
in May. Since losing power, Najib has been arrested repeatedly and hit with a
total of 42 charges linked to 1MDB. He has denied wrongdoing.
The trial due to begin Tuesday is on seven charges related to allegations
Najib pocketed 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) from SRC International, a
former unit of 1MDB.
But his lawyers have filed an application for the trial to be delayed
pending an appeal on a technicality related to the transfer of charges
between different courts. The Court of Appeal is due to rule on the
application later Monday.
It is just one of several trials Najib is expected to face over 1MDB and
involves a fraction of the total purportedly stolen from the fund.
But the start of the first trial will be a key moment, and may relieve
pressure on the new government following criticism that it has been slow to
act over 1MDB.
Far from keeping quiet, Najib has gone on a bizarre publicity blitz in
recent weeks, performing a cover of a 1970s R&B hit accompanied by backing
singers, attacking the new government on social media and seeking to present
himself as a man of the people.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1140 hrs