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Agence France-Presse

Malaysia’s jailed ex-leader Najib Razak began his defence on Monday against graft charges tied to more than US$500 million in alleged bribes and several counts of money laundering, saying they were “politically motivated”.
The former prime minister, already serving a six-year jail term for corruption related to the plunder of sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, faces several other cases linked to the financial scandal that led to his defeat in 2018 elections.
Taking the witness box, Najib told the court: “The charges against me are politically motivated.”
The case involves 2.27 billion ringgit (US$510 million) in alleged bribes and 21 counts of money laundering.
If convicted, Najib faces hefty fines and sentences of up to 20 years for each count of abuse of power.
Dressed in a navy blue suit with matching tie, the 71-year-old coughed throughout his opening statement.
His wife Rosmah Mansor sat in the public gallery.

The case involves Tanore Finance Corp, which US authorities have said was used to siphon money from 1MDB. It was allegedly used to channel money to Najib’s personal bank account.
Najib issued an apology in October that the 1MDB scandal happened during his tenure, but maintained he had no knowledge of illegal transfers from the now-defunct state fund.
His lead lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, has said they were “more determined” than ever to fight the case.
During Monday’s proceedings, Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah granted Najib’s request to read aloud his entire witness statement – which is 525 pages.
Allegations that billions of dollars were pilfered from investment vehicle 1MDB and used to buy everything from a superyacht to artwork played a major role in prompting voters to oust Najib and the long-ruling United Malays National Organisation party in the 2018 elections.
The 1MDB scandal sparked investigations in the United States, Switzerland and Singapore, where the funds were allegedly laundered.


The US Justice Department has said more than US$4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB between 2009 and 2015 by high-level officials at the fund and their associates.
Najib began serving a 12-year jail term in August 2022 for offences linked to the misuse of public money from former 1MDB unit SRC International. The sentence was later halved by Malaysia’s pardons board.
Since then, Najib has won some legal victories.
On November 27, a Malaysian court allowed corruption charges in one of the five cases linked to 1MDB to be dropped against him.
Those charges were related to payments of more than US$1 billion allegedly made to Abu Dhabi’s International Petroleum Investment Company.
Another charge of audit tampering ended with an acquittal in 2023.
Separately, the Court of Appeal will on Thursday hear Najib’s challenge against a lower court’s refusal to hear his request for house arrest.


Malaysia’s 1MDB sues Hong-Kong headquartered Amicorp for US$1 billion for alleged fraud

2 years on, is Anwar’s pledge to eliminate corruption in Malaysia facing a reality check?

Malaysian court clears Najib’s wife Rosmah Mansor of money-laundering charges

Najib’s house arrest at ‘discretion’ of Malaysia’s king, Anwar says

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysia 1MDB scandal: ex-PM Najib says bribery, power abuse charges ‘politically motivated’

Najib Razak, then Malaysian Prime Minister, speaks during a press conference in Berlin. Photo: dpa

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak (centre) arrives at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex in Kuala Lumpur on October 30. Photo: AFP

Malaysia drops Najib’s 6 charges over 1MDB as house arrest rumours swirl

Ex-Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak leaves a court in Kuala Lumpur on January 19, 2024. Photo: Reuters

A billboard for state investment fund 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AP

Jailed ex-Malaysian PM Najib to appeal for house arrest

Lawyers for Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak are arguing he should serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest. File photo: AFP

A Malaysian court allowed corruption charges in one of several cases linked to the scandal-wracked 1MDB sovereign wealth fund against jailed ex-prime minister Najib Razak to be dropped. File photo: AFP

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak’s lawyer Shafee Abdullah at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. File photo: EPA-EFE

As Malaysia’s Sabah faces new bribery case, will it pay dividends for power seekers?

Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor. Photo: Facebook

A jungle in Sabah. The Malaysian state has abundant natural resources. Photo: Shutterstock

An ethnic Rungus couple wash their laundry in Matunggung, Sabah. Photo: Reuters

Malaysians split over home detention plan for prisoners – leniency gone too far?

The entrance of Sungai Buloh Prison, in Shah Alam, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Malaysian former Prime Minister Najib Razak arrive at the Kuala Lumpur high court complex on October 30. Photo: AP

Malaysia’s lower house parliament building in Kuala Lumpur. The home detention law was discussed in parliament last month. Photo: AP

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The former PM is serving a six-year prison sentence for stealing from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB and faces more cases related to the 2018 election scandal


The former PM is serving a six-year prison sentence for stealing from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB and faces more cases related to the 2018 election scandal.
