Malaysian ex-PM Najib to enter defence today

30/10/2024 11:36

        A Malaysian court ruled that jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak will have to defend himself against four charges of abuse of power and 21 charges of money laundering in a case over the scandal at state fund 1MDB, a prosecutor said on Wednesday.
        
        Najib had been accused of illegally receiving 2.3 billion ringgit ($526 million) from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). He has pleaded not guilty.
        
        Najib, 71, was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2022 after being found guilty of graft in a separate 1MDB-linked case. The sentence was later halved by a pardons board chaired by Malaysia's king, with Najib set to be released in August 2028.
        
        State news agency Bernama reported, on Wednesday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that all 25 charges filed against Najib were valid and correct in law.
        A prosecutor involved in the case confirmed the report to Reuters, adding that Najib will take the stand in his defence.