Malaysia's former deputy premier under scandal-plagued <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/what-najib-razaks-corruption-trial-means-for-malaysia-and-the-region-207838">ex-leader Najib Razak</a> was hit with seven fresh corruption charges Wednesday for allegedly receiving about $3 million in bribes.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, now an opposition leader who was a key figure in the former regime, has now been charged with a total of 54 counts of corruption since his long-ruling coalition lost power last year.

The latest charges relate to allegations that he received Sg$4.2 million ($3.1 million) in 2017 and 2018 from a company in exchange for extending their contract to issue visas.

Ahmad Zahid pleaded not guilty to all counts during a court appearance in Kuala Lumpur and was freed on bail. If found guilty, the 66-year-old faces a lengthy jail term.

He has denied all previous charges levelled at him.

He is also set to face a further 33 charges in court Thursday for allegedly receiving $10 million in kickbacks, according to the anti-graft agency.

The veteran politician is president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the lynchpin in a coalition of parties that ruled Malaysia from independence in 1957 until their shock defeat in May polls.

But he has been placed on leave since he was first charged in October.&nbsp;

Najib has also been arrested and charged over allegations he oversaw the plundering of state fund 1MDB, a scandal that played a major part in the election defeat.

He has been on trial over the allegations since April.

US authorities say more than $4.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund and spent on everything from yachts to artwork.

Malaysia's former deputy premier under scandal-plagued ex-leader Najib Razak was hit with seven fresh corruption charges Wednesday for allegedly receiving about $3 million in bribes.

Malaysia's former deputy premier under scandal-plagued ex-leader Najib Razak was hit with seven fresh corruption charges Wednesday for allegedly receiving about $3 million in bribes. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, now an opposition leader who was a key figure in the former regime, has now been charged with a total of 54 counts of corruption since his long-ruling coalition lost power last year. The latest charges relate to allegations that he received Sg$4.2 million ($3.1 million) in 2017 and 2018 from a company in exchange for extending their contract to issue visas. Ahmad Zahid pleaded not guilty to all counts during a court appearance in Kuala Lumpur and was freed on bail. If found guilty, the 66-year-old faces a lengthy jail term. He has denied all previous charges levelled at him. He is also set to face a further 33 charges in court Thursday for allegedly receiving $10 million in kickbacks, according to the anti-graft agency. The veteran politician is president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the lynchpin in a coalition of parties that ruled Malaysia from independence in 1957 until their shock defeat in May polls. But he has been placed on leave since he was first charged in October. Najib has also been arrested and charged over allegations he oversaw the plundering of state fund 1MDB, a scandal that played a major part in the election defeat. He has been on trial over the allegations since April. US authorities say more than $4.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund and spent on everything from yachts to artwork.

Najib Razak former deputy hit with new graft charges in Malaysia

Malaysia's former deputy premier under scandal-plagued ex-leader Najib Razak was hit with seven fresh corruption charges Wednesday for allegedly receiving about $3 million in bribes.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, now an opposition leader who was a key figure in the former regime, has now been charged with a total of 54 counts of corruption since his long-ruling coalition lost power last year.

The latest charges relate to allegations that he received Sg$4.2 million ($3.1 million) in 2017 and 2018 from a company in exchange for extending their contract to issue visas.

Ahmad Zahid pleaded not guilty to all counts during a court appearance in Kuala Lumpur and was freed on bail. If found guilty, the 66-year-old faces a lengthy jail term.

He has denied all previous charges levelled at him.

He is also set to face a further 33 charges in court Thursday for allegedly receiving $10 million in kickbacks, according to the anti-graft agency.

The veteran politician is president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the lynchpin in a coalition of parties that ruled Malaysia from independence in 1957 until their shock defeat in May polls.

But he has been placed on leave since he was first charged in October.&nbsp;

Najib has also been arrested and charged over allegations he oversaw the plundering of state fund 1MDB, a scandal that played a major part in the election defeat.

He has been on trial over the allegations since April.

US authorities say more than $4.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund and spent on everything from yachts to artwork.

Najib's former deputy hit with new graft charges in Malaysia

Malaysia's ruling coalition lost a state constituency in a by-election on Saturday in a further sign of declining public support for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's alliance.

It is the third defeat for Mahathir's Pakatan Harapan coalition, or Alliance of Hope, in local elections since it took power in May last year.

Its candidate, Streram Sinnasamy, lost the Rantau constituency in Negeri Sembilan state by 4,510 votes to Mohamad Hasan, the acting chairman of Barisan Nasional, the main opposition coalition.

Mohamad was appointed to the post after scandal-plagued former prime minister Najib Razak led Barisan Nasional to its first defeat in more than 60 years in last year's national election.

Mohamad had won Rantau unopposed in 2018, but a Malaysian court later found errors in electoral procedure and called for a new poll.

His win is the latest blow for Mahathir's coalition, which has faced criticism for failing to deliver on promised reforms and protecting the rights of majority ethnic Malay Muslims.

Polls consistently show that the coalition has been losing support among the Malays, some of whom fear that affirmative-action policies favouring them in business, education and housing could be taken away.

Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minister who is widely expected to succeed Mahathir, had actively campaigned in Rantau in a bid to garner support away from Mohamad, seen as a highly popular figure among Malays.

Meanwhile, Najib, an active public presence during two previous by-elections, was largely absent on the Rantau campaign trial as he faced the first of several corruption trials earlier this month.

Najib is facing more than 40 charges of money laundering and other offences over the alleged loss of billions of dollars from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Malaysia's ruling coalition lost a state constituency in a by-election on Saturday in a further sign of declining public support for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's alliance.

Malaysia's ruling coalition lost a state constituency in a by-election on Saturday in a further sign of declining public support for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's alliance. It is the third defeat for Mahathir's Pakatan Harapan coalition, or Alliance of Hope, in local elections since it took power in May last year. Its candidate, Streram Sinnasamy, lost the Rantau constituency in Negeri Sembilan state by 4,510 votes to Mohamad Hasan, the acting chairman of Barisan Nasional, the main opposition coalition. Mohamad was appointed to the post after scandal-plagued former prime minister Najib Razak led Barisan Nasional to its first defeat in more than 60 years in last year's national election. Mohamad had won Rantau unopposed in 2018, but a Malaysian court later found errors in electoral procedure and called for a new poll. His win is the latest blow for Mahathir's coalition, which has faced criticism for failing to deliver on promised reforms and protecting the rights of majority ethnic Malay Muslims. Polls consistently show that the coalition has been losing support among the Malays, some of whom fear that affirmative-action policies favouring them in business, education and housing could be taken away. Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minister who is widely expected to succeed Mahathir, had actively campaigned in Rantau in a bid to garner support away from Mohamad, seen as a highly popular figure among Malays. Meanwhile, Najib, an active public presence during two previous by-elections, was largely absent on the Rantau campaign trial as he faced the first of several corruption trials earlier this month. Najib is facing more than 40 charges of money laundering and other offences over the alleged loss of billions of dollars from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Malaysia's ruling coalition loses state by-election as support wanes

By James Chin

The corruption trial of Najib Tun Razak, the former prime minister of Malaysia, has finally begun following two postponements and an attempt on the opening day of the trial for a third. Many Malaysians were starting to wonder if Najib would ever get his day in court.

Najib’s lawyers have used every legal manoeuvre at their disposal to try to delay the trial as long as possible. These tactics verged on the ridiculous a month ago when Najib’s main lawyer claimed his pet dog had injured his wrist. The move worked – the former PM was granted another reprieve.

The trial over Najib’s role in a financial scam involving Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund will certainly not proceed smoothly, and the defence is sure to file new objections to higher courts to try to stop it again.

The reason Najib wants the trial delayed is simple: if he is found guilty, it will have a major impact on other upcoming trials.

His wife is also charged with money-laundering in connection with the scandal. (She’s accused of splurging on designer clothes and handbags during million-dollar shopping trips.) If Najib is found guilty, this would undoubtedly strengthen the case against her. Several ministers who served under Najib have also been charged with corruption.

Najib himself also faces several other trials related to the 1MDB scandal. For the government, the current trial is by far the simplest and easiest to prosecute. It involves 42 million Malaysian ringgit (A$14.5 million) that made its way from SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB, to Najib’s personal account. All these transactions occurred in Malaysia, unlike the other cases, which involve international transactions and multiple jurisdictions. The paper trial for this trial is straightforward.

Najib has pleaded not guilty to all charges and claimed the money in his accounts did not come from SRC International.

If Najib is found guilty, he will automatically lose his seat in parliament and face possible jail time. Being an MP gives him the platform to influence politics and say anything he likes against the current government, led by his political rival, Mahathir bin Mohamad.

Najib is already working on his political comeback – part of the strategy is to maintain a high profile as an MP through social media.

How Malaysians are viewing the trial 
 
Many Malaysians want the trial to proceed without any more interruptions because it would show the accountability process is finally working in Malaysia. Najib and his government were ousted from power in last year’s election because voters wanted the PM (and his wife) to face trial over the corruption allegations. Previously, it was understood that if you held a high political office, you were likely to get away with corruption.

If Najib isn’t convicted, many will likely wonder if there was any point to the change in power. The new government knows this and must deliver a credible trial. There is no other political option.

If Najib and his expensive lawyers are able to continue delaying the trial, Malaysians may start to lose faith with the new administration. Mahathir has publicly pledged to jail Najib for corruption before he hands over power next year to party leader Anwar Ibrahim, and if he cannot deliver on this, it will damage his successor’s political capital.

Najib may even try to delay his trials until after the next election, due in 2023, so he can continue to mount his political comeback.

Far more important for Malaysia, however, is the issue of political immunity. No previous leader has ever been charged with corruption and it is vitally important the rule of law is applied here for future generations.

This has regional implications, as well. Many activists in countries such as Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand see the Najib trial as a benchmark for tackling corruption in their own countries.

In many Southeast Asian countries, a culture of impunity persists at the highest levels of government. There is a belief among many political leaders that once they leave office, the sins they committed while in power will not lead to jail. It is as if this is one of the benefits of being elected to office.

In the coming days, expect more delay tactics by Najib’s defence team. The case might even be halted again due to a legal challenge on a point of law.

But given the stakes involved, I have no doubt the new Malaysian Attorney-General, Tommy Thomas, will make sure Najib’s trial goes ahead. Malaysia as a nation cannot have closure over the 1MDB affair until he is called to answer for his alleged crimes. 
 
(James Chin is Director, Asia Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-najib-razaks-corruption-trial-means-for-malaysia-and-the-region-114828">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

By James Chin The corruption trial of Najib Tun Razak, the former prime minister of Malaysia, has finally begun following two postponements and an attempt on the opening day of the trial for a third.

By James Chin The corruption trial of Najib Tun Razak, the former prime minister of Malaysia, has finally begun following two postponements and an attempt on the opening day of the trial for a third. Many Malaysians were starting to wonder if Najib would ever get his day in court. Najib’s lawyers have used every legal manoeuvre at their disposal to try to delay the trial as long as possible. These tactics verged on the ridiculous a month ago when Najib’s main lawyer claimed his pet dog had injured his wrist. The move worked – the former PM was granted another reprieve. The trial over Najib’s role in a financial scam involving Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund will certainly not proceed smoothly, and the defence is sure to file new objections to higher courts to try to stop it again. The reason Najib wants the trial delayed is simple: if he is found guilty, it will have a major impact on other upcoming trials. His wife is also charged with money-laundering in connection with the scandal. (She’s accused of splurging on designer clothes and handbags during million-dollar shopping trips.) If Najib is found guilty, this would undoubtedly strengthen the case against her. Several ministers who served under Najib have also been charged with corruption. Najib himself also faces several other trials related to the 1MDB scandal. For the government, the current trial is by far the simplest and easiest to prosecute. It involves 42 million Malaysian ringgit (A$14.5 million) that made its way from SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB, to Najib’s personal account. All these transactions occurred in Malaysia, unlike the other cases, which involve international transactions and multiple jurisdictions. The paper trial for this trial is straightforward. Najib has pleaded not guilty to all charges and claimed the money in his accounts did not come from SRC International. If Najib is found guilty, he will automatically lose his seat in parliament and face possible jail time. Being an MP gives him the platform to influence politics and say anything he likes against the current government, led by his political rival, Mahathir bin Mohamad. Najib is already working on his political comeback – part of the strategy is to maintain a high profile as an MP through social media. How Malaysians are viewing the trial Many Malaysians want the trial to proceed without any more interruptions because it would show the accountability process is finally working in Malaysia. Najib and his government were ousted from power in last year’s election because voters wanted the PM (and his wife) to face trial over the corruption allegations. Previously, it was understood that if you held a high political office, you were likely to get away with corruption. If Najib isn’t convicted, many will likely wonder if there was any point to the change in power. The new government knows this and must deliver a credible trial. There is no other political option. If Najib and his expensive lawyers are able to continue delaying the trial, Malaysians may start to lose faith with the new administration. Mahathir has publicly pledged to jail Najib for corruption before he hands over power next year to party leader Anwar Ibrahim, and if he cannot deliver on this, it will damage his successor’s political capital. Najib may even try to delay his trials until after the next election, due in 2023, so he can continue to mount his political comeback. Far more important for Malaysia, however, is the issue of political immunity. No previous leader has ever been charged with corruption and it is vitally important the rule of law is applied here for future generations. This has regional implications, as well. Many activists in countries such as Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand see the Najib trial as a benchmark for tackling corruption in their own countries. In many Southeast Asian countries, a culture of impunity persists at the highest levels of government. There is a belief among many political leaders that once they leave office, the sins they committed while in power will not lead to jail. It is as if this is one of the benefits of being elected to office. In the coming days, expect more delay tactics by Najib’s defence team. The case might even be halted again due to a legal challenge on a point of law. But given the stakes involved, I have no doubt the new Malaysian Attorney-General, Tommy Thomas, will make sure Najib’s trial goes ahead. Malaysia as a nation cannot have closure over the 1MDB affair until he is called to answer for his alleged crimes. (James Chin is Director, Asia Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

What Najib Razak’s corruption trial means for Malaysia – and the region

Malaysia's disgraced former leader Najib Razak will go on trial Wednesday over a multi-billion-dollar financial scandal that contributed to his long-ruling coalition's downfall last year and sent shockwaves around the world.&nbsp;

The 65-year-old will face the first of several trials over his alleged involvement in the looting of sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, a state investment vehicle established to develop the economy of the Southeast Asian nation.

The former premier and his cronies are accused of plundering billions of dollars from the fund and spending it on everything from high-end real estate to artworks in a fraud that stretched around the world.&nbsp;

He had been tipped to win another term in office easily last year and extend his coalition's six-decade stranglehold on power, only to be soundly defeated by his former boss, Mahathir Mohamad, who rode a wave of public anger to the premiership.

In the months that followed, once-dormant investigations into 1MDB were relaunched and Najib was hit with dozens of corruption charges linked to the scandal.

In Wednesday's trial, due to start at 2:00 pm, Najib will face seven charges of corruption and money laundering over the alleged theft of some $10.3 million&nbsp;from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit.

It is only a fraction of the money allegedly stolen from 1MDB, and hundreds of millions of dollars are believed to have ended up in Najib's accounts alone.

He has denied any wrongdoing.

Najib was initially due to stand trial in February, but appeals by his defence team over procedural matters saw his case put on hold until a judge last week ruled the trial should finally proceed.

Time to 'face justice'&nbsp;

While many of his cohorts have been caught and charged in Malaysian courts, the alleged mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal, playboy financier Jho Low, is still at large.

Local media reported the former premier made a bid on Monday to delay his trial yet again, although this failed.

Cynthia Gabriel, head of the non-profit group The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism, told AFP that Malaysians had been waiting "too long" for the trial to begin.

"The multiple delays are so obvious and deliberate, it's a way of pushing the trials further," she said.

"It's apparent that the former ousted PM isn't quite ready to sit in the dock and face trial, be cross-examined, and get embarrassed."

Fahmi Reza, a graphic artist who was slapped with a jail term and fined for depicting Najib in a caricature as a sinister clown, said it was the ex-premier's turn to "face justice".&nbsp;

"Today, it is your turn to be dragged here to face justice for the crime of corruption and abuse of power during your reign," he said in a tweet.

Najib's former mentor turned nemesis Mahathir, now 93 and in his second stint in office, has pledged to bring him to justice and bring back the huge sums of cash stolen from 1MDB.

The US Department of Justice, which is investigating the controversy as money was allegedly laundered through the US financial system, believes $4.5 billion in total was looted from 1MDB.

Malaysia has also charged Wall Street titan Goldman Sachs over the scandal, alleging the bank and its former employees stole billions of dollars from 1MDB.

Goldman units and two ex-bankers are accused of misappropriating $2.7 billion, bribing officials and giving false statements in relation to bond issues they arranged for the fund. The bank has vowed to fight the charges.

Malaysia's disgraced former leader Najib Razak will go on trial Wednesday over a multi-billion-dollar financial scandal that contributed to his long-ruling coalition's downfall last year and sent shockwaves around the world.

Malaysia's disgraced former leader Najib Razak will go on trial Wednesday over a multi-billion-dollar financial scandal that contributed to his long-ruling coalition's downfall last year and sent shockwaves around the world. The 65-year-old will face the first of several trials over his alleged involvement in the looting of sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, a state investment vehicle established to develop the economy of the Southeast Asian nation. The former premier and his cronies are accused of plundering billions of dollars from the fund and spending it on everything from high-end real estate to artworks in a fraud that stretched around the world. He had been tipped to win another term in office easily last year and extend his coalition's six-decade stranglehold on power, only to be soundly defeated by his former boss, Mahathir Mohamad, who rode a wave of public anger to the premiership. In the months that followed, once-dormant investigations into 1MDB were relaunched and Najib was hit with dozens of corruption charges linked to the scandal. In Wednesday's trial, due to start at 2:00 pm, Najib will face seven charges of corruption and money laundering over the alleged theft of some $10.3 million from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit. It is only a fraction of the money allegedly stolen from 1MDB, and hundreds of millions of dollars are believed to have ended up in Najib's accounts alone. He has denied any wrongdoing. Najib was initially due to stand trial in February, but appeals by his defence team over procedural matters saw his case put on hold until a judge last week ruled the trial should finally proceed. Time to 'face justice' While many of his cohorts have been caught and charged in Malaysian courts, the alleged mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal, playboy financier Jho Low, is still at large. Local media reported the former premier made a bid on Monday to delay his trial yet again, although this failed. Cynthia Gabriel, head of the non-profit group The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism, told AFP that Malaysians had been waiting "too long" for the trial to begin. "The multiple delays are so obvious and deliberate, it's a way of pushing the trials further," she said. "It's apparent that the former ousted PM isn't quite ready to sit in the dock and face trial, be cross-examined, and get embarrassed." Fahmi Reza, a graphic artist who was slapped with a jail term and fined for depicting Najib in a caricature as a sinister clown, said it was the ex-premier's turn to "face justice". "Today, it is your turn to be dragged here to face justice for the crime of corruption and abuse of power during your reign," he said in a tweet. Najib's former mentor turned nemesis Mahathir, now 93 and in his second stint in office, has pledged to bring him to justice and bring back the huge sums of cash stolen from 1MDB. The US Department of Justice, which is investigating the controversy as money was allegedly laundered through the US financial system, believes $4.5 billion in total was looted from 1MDB. Malaysia has also charged Wall Street titan Goldman Sachs over the scandal, alleging the bank and its former employees stole billions of dollars from 1MDB. Goldman units and two ex-bankers are accused of misappropriating $2.7 billion, bribing officials and giving false statements in relation to bond issues they arranged for the fund. The bank has vowed to fight the charges.

Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak to go on trial for corruption

A Malaysian court on Monday postponed the corruption trial of former<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/former-prime-minister-of-malaysia-charged-for-altering-state-funds-1mdb-loot-183396"> prime minister Najib Razak </a>over charges related to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB pending an appeal, his lawyer said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/malaysia-ex-pm-najib-razak-and-ally-charged-in-16-billion-graft-case-173306">Najib</a> has pleaded not guilty to ten charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power and his trial was originally set to begin on Tuesday.

His lawyers, however, filed an application last week to stay the trial pending an appeal over a lower court's ruling to transfer some of the charges to the Kuala Lumpur High Court, media reported.

Harvinderjit Singh, one of Najib's lawyers, told Reuters in a brief text message that the Court of Appeal had agreed to postpone the trial "until the appeal is heard".

No new date for the trial or the appeal has been set, he said.

Najib was ousted in an election in May last year amid public fury over the alleged theft of $4.5 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The charges against Najib relate to a suspected transfer of 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) into his bank account from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit.

The trial is the first of several criminal proceedings that Najib is expected to face over the 1MDB scandal so far, and the sum involved is a fraction of the $1 billion that investigators say allegedly made their way into his bank accounts.

At least six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore, have launched money laundering and graft probes into 1MDB, set up by Najib in 2009.

US&nbsp;prosecutors say money stolen from 1MDB was used to buy a private jet, luxury real estate, artwork by Picasso and Monet, as well as jewellery for Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Najib and his wife both deny wrongdoing.

SRC was the initial focus of Malaysian investigators as all the suspicious transactions involving the firm were made through Malaysian entities, unlike other 1MDB-related transactions that went through foreign banks and companies.

A Malaysian court on Monday postponed the corruption trial of former prime minister Najib Razak over charges related to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB pending an appeal, his lawyer said.

A Malaysian court on Monday postponed the corruption trial of former prime minister Najib Razak over charges related to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB pending an appeal, his lawyer said. Najib has pleaded not guilty to ten charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power and his trial was originally set to begin on Tuesday. His lawyers, however, filed an application last week to stay the trial pending an appeal over a lower court's ruling to transfer some of the charges to the Kuala Lumpur High Court, media reported. Harvinderjit Singh, one of Najib's lawyers, told Reuters in a brief text message that the Court of Appeal had agreed to postpone the trial "until the appeal is heard". No new date for the trial or the appeal has been set, he said. Najib was ousted in an election in May last year amid public fury over the alleged theft of $4.5 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The charges against Najib relate to a suspected transfer of 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) into his bank account from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit. The trial is the first of several criminal proceedings that Najib is expected to face over the 1MDB scandal so far, and the sum involved is a fraction of the $1 billion that investigators say allegedly made their way into his bank accounts. At least six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore, have launched money laundering and graft probes into 1MDB, set up by Najib in 2009. US prosecutors say money stolen from 1MDB was used to buy a private jet, luxury real estate, artwork by Picasso and Monet, as well as jewellery for Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor. Najib and his wife both deny wrongdoing. SRC was the initial focus of Malaysian investigators as all the suspicious transactions involving the firm were made through Malaysian entities, unlike other 1MDB-related transactions that went through foreign banks and companies.

Malaysia court postpones ex-PM Najib's corruption trial pending appeal

Disgraced former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been out in recent weeks campaigning as if for an election, trying to shed the image of a wealthy, elite politician and elicit public sympathy before his corruption trial begins on Tuesday.

Najib has pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering, in what is set to be the first of many trials over suspected <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-probes-claim-china-offered-to-bail-out-1mdb-188963">multibillion-dollar fraud at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad</a> (1MDB).

The trial starts nine months after Malaysians voted Najib out of office in a general election dominated by public disgust over allegations some $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB, and about a quarter of it went into his personal bank accounts.

Police found nearly $300 million worth of goods and cash at properties linked to Najib soon after the May 2018 election.

But as the trial date nears, Najib - who has maintained his innocence - has sought a radical change of image, painting himself as a victim of a vindictive government led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

The 65-year-old son of Malaysia’s second prime minister is also trying to build an image as a folksy voice of working people, especially members of the ethnic Malay majority.

Najib, in a viral video last month, crooned a Malay-language version of the 1970s hit 'Kiss and Say Goodbye', surrounded by a chorus of sombre young singers, criticising Mahathir's coalition for failing to live up to election promises.

"On May 9, 2018, I was ousted. All this time, I have been fighting with my life for the people I love. But what can I do?" an earnest Najib says of his "saddest day" in the introduction to the song.

Najib has also been hitting out online. His jibes against ruling party politicians on Facebook and Twitter have some social media users referring to him as "King of Trolls".

A relaxed, casually dressed Najib also paid a visit this month to Langkawi, Mahathir's island constituency, where he pottered around town, visiting markets, eating at hawker stalls and rubbing elbows and posing for selfies with passersby.

Mahathir was not impressed. He told a news conference last week Najib seemed to be getting popular on social media because "he provides a lot of stories".

Harvinderjit Singh, one of Najib's lawyers, declined to comment on the former premier's public appearances but said the 1MDB trials were unlikely to be affected by the hoopla.

"The case is going to be determined by what happens in court, not out of it," he said.

1MDB trial

While Najib has been trying to build public support, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has been building a formidable team to prosecute Najib, his wife and a host of other former top officials charged for corruption. All of them have pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution has been recruiting top-notch criminal attorneys including former federal court judge Gopal Sri Ram and Sulaiman Abdullah, a lawyer with a background in cases of white-collar crime.

The AGC has also recalled several prosecutors from state offices to join the team, two lawyers with knowledge of the matter said.

The AGC did not respond to a request for comment.

Najib has a defence team of eight lawyers, led by Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who once represented the government in a sodomy case against former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Najib could face years in prison. He faces 39 criminal charges over losses at 1MDB and other state entities.

Seven of those charges will be the subject of Tuesday's trial, relating to transfers totalling 42 million ringgit ($10.30 million) into Najib's personal bank account from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit.

Prosecutors have handed nearly 3,000 pages of documents to the defence ahead of the trial, said Najib's lawyer Singh.

The documents include statements from 26 witnesses, some of whom were SRC officials, who will likely be called to testify.

Najib, who has not been asked to testify in his own defence, hopes only for a fair trial, Singh said.

"Our client is of the view that if he gets a fair trial, then the truth will show itself to the public," he said.

Disgraced former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been out in recent weeks campaigning as if for an election, trying to shed the image of a wealthy, elite politician and elicit public sympathy before his corruption trial begins on Tuesday.

Disgraced former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been out in recent weeks campaigning as if for an election, trying to shed the image of a wealthy, elite politician and elicit public sympathy before his corruption trial begins on Tuesday. Najib has pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering, in what is set to be the first of many trials over suspected multibillion-dollar fraud at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The trial starts nine months after Malaysians voted Najib out of office in a general election dominated by public disgust over allegations some $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB, and about a quarter of it went into his personal bank accounts. Police found nearly $300 million worth of goods and cash at properties linked to Najib soon after the May 2018 election. But as the trial date nears, Najib - who has maintained his innocence - has sought a radical change of image, painting himself as a victim of a vindictive government led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The 65-year-old son of Malaysia’s second prime minister is also trying to build an image as a folksy voice of working people, especially members of the ethnic Malay majority. Najib, in a viral video last month, crooned a Malay-language version of the 1970s hit 'Kiss and Say Goodbye', surrounded by a chorus of sombre young singers, criticising Mahathir's coalition for failing to live up to election promises. "On May 9, 2018, I was ousted. All this time, I have been fighting with my life for the people I love. But what can I do?" an earnest Najib says of his "saddest day" in the introduction to the song. Najib has also been hitting out online. His jibes against ruling party politicians on Facebook and Twitter have some social media users referring to him as "King of Trolls". A relaxed, casually dressed Najib also paid a visit this month to Langkawi, Mahathir's island constituency, where he pottered around town, visiting markets, eating at hawker stalls and rubbing elbows and posing for selfies with passersby. Mahathir was not impressed. He told a news conference last week Najib seemed to be getting popular on social media because "he provides a lot of stories". Harvinderjit Singh, one of Najib's lawyers, declined to comment on the former premier's public appearances but said the 1MDB trials were unlikely to be affected by the hoopla. "The case is going to be determined by what happens in court, not out of it," he said. 1MDB trial While Najib has been trying to build public support, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has been building a formidable team to prosecute Najib, his wife and a host of other former top officials charged for corruption. All of them have pleaded not guilty. The prosecution has been recruiting top-notch criminal attorneys including former federal court judge Gopal Sri Ram and Sulaiman Abdullah, a lawyer with a background in cases of white-collar crime. The AGC has also recalled several prosecutors from state offices to join the team, two lawyers with knowledge of the matter said. The AGC did not respond to a request for comment. Najib has a defence team of eight lawyers, led by Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who once represented the government in a sodomy case against former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. Najib could face years in prison. He faces 39 criminal charges over losses at 1MDB and other state entities. Seven of those charges will be the subject of Tuesday's trial, relating to transfers totalling 42 million ringgit ($10.30 million) into Najib's personal bank account from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit. Prosecutors have handed nearly 3,000 pages of documents to the defence ahead of the trial, said Najib's lawyer Singh. The documents include statements from 26 witnesses, some of whom were SRC officials, who will likely be called to testify. Najib, who has not been asked to testify in his own defence, hopes only for a fair trial, Singh said. "Our client is of the view that if he gets a fair trial, then the truth will show itself to the public," he said.

1MDB scandal: All about the multi-million dollar fraud and why Malaysia's ex-PM is up for trial 

Malaysia said Tuesday it was investigating claims China offered to help bail out <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-files-criminal-charges-against-goldman-sachs-in-1mdb-probe-184778">scandal-hit state fund 1MDB </a>and get foreign probes into the controversy dropped in return for securing infrastructure deals.

Huge sums were purportedly looted from the Malaysian government fund in an audacious fraud, which allegedly involved <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/former-prime-minister-of-malaysia-charged-for-altering-state-funds-1mdb-loot-183396">former leader Najib Razak </a>and contributed to his shock poll defeat in May.

The Wall Street Journal reported Chinese officials offered in 2016 to help bail out the debt-mired fund and said they would try to use their influence to get countries to drop investigations into the case, citing minutes from meetings between Chinese and Malaysian officials.

Stolen 1MDB money was allegedly laundered via a complex web of transactions around the world, and countries including Singapore, the US and Switzerland have launched probes. Despite the reported Chinese offer, the investigations continued.

The Chinese also offered to bug the homes and offices of Wall Street Journal reporters in Hong Kong who were investigating 1MDB to find out who was passing information to them, the paper said.

In exchange, the report said that Malaysia promised stakes in railway and pipeline projects as part of China's "Belt and Road Initiative", a major infrastructure drive seeking to link Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Within months, the government in Kuala Lumpur signed billions of dollars worth of deals with Chinese state companies backed by funding from Chinese banks.

Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng told local media that he could not confirm the claims but would look into the matter.

"If there is anything that explicitly states this in black and white, we will pursue the case," he was cited as saying.

A finance ministry spokeswoman confirmed Lim made the comments.

The Chinese government information office did not respond to requests for comment, the Wall Street Journal said. China's foreign ministry has previously denied money from its infrastructure programme was used to bail out 1MDB, it said.

Since the defeat of Najib's government to a reformist alliance in May — the first change of government since Malaysia became an independent country — ties have cooled markedly between Beijing and Kuala Lumpur.

New Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who came out of retirement to oust former protege Najib amid public anger over 1MDB, has shelved $22 billion worth of Chinese projects.

The US State Department alleges that $4.5 billion was looted from the fund by Najib and his cronies, and spent on everything from artwork to high-end real estate.&nbsp;

Najib has been arrested and charged over the scandal since being ejected from office. He denies any wrongdoing.

Huge sums were purportedly looted from the Malaysian government fund in an audacious fraud, which allegedly involved former leader Najib Razak.

Malaysia said Tuesday it was investigating claims China offered to help bail out scandal-hit state fund 1MDB and get foreign probes into the controversy dropped in return for securing infrastructure deals. Huge sums were purportedly looted from the Malaysian government fund in an audacious fraud, which allegedly involved former leader Najib Razak and contributed to his shock poll defeat in May. The Wall Street Journal reported Chinese officials offered in 2016 to help bail out the debt-mired fund and said they would try to use their influence to get countries to drop investigations into the case, citing minutes from meetings between Chinese and Malaysian officials. Stolen 1MDB money was allegedly laundered via a complex web of transactions around the world, and countries including Singapore, the US and Switzerland have launched probes. Despite the reported Chinese offer, the investigations continued. The Chinese also offered to bug the homes and offices of Wall Street Journal reporters in Hong Kong who were investigating 1MDB to find out who was passing information to them, the paper said. In exchange, the report said that Malaysia promised stakes in railway and pipeline projects as part of China's "Belt and Road Initiative", a major infrastructure drive seeking to link Asia, Europe, and Africa. Within months, the government in Kuala Lumpur signed billions of dollars worth of deals with Chinese state companies backed by funding from Chinese banks. Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng told local media that he could not confirm the claims but would look into the matter. "If there is anything that explicitly states this in black and white, we will pursue the case," he was cited as saying. A finance ministry spokeswoman confirmed Lim made the comments. The Chinese government information office did not respond to requests for comment, the Wall Street Journal said. China's foreign ministry has previously denied money from its infrastructure programme was used to bail out 1MDB, it said. Since the defeat of Najib's government to a reformist alliance in May — the first change of government since Malaysia became an independent country — ties have cooled markedly between Beijing and Kuala Lumpur. New Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who came out of retirement to oust former protege Najib amid public anger over 1MDB, has shelved $22 billion worth of Chinese projects. The US State Department alleges that $4.5 billion was looted from the fund by Najib and his cronies, and spent on everything from artwork to high-end real estate. Najib has been arrested and charged over the scandal since being ejected from office. He denies any wrongdoing.

Malaysia probes claim China offered to bail out 1MDB

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-files-criminal-charges-against-goldman-sachs-in-1mdb-probe-184778">Goldman Sachs</a> on Tuesday accused the former Malaysian government and state fund 1MDB of lying to the bank, after Kuala Lumpur charged the Wall Street titan over a massive financial scandal.

Malaysia's attorney-general Monday filed criminal charges against the US bank and two of its ex-employees over the alleged looting of 1MDB.

Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the fund and used to buy everything from yachts to artwork, in an audacious fraud that involved former Malaysian leader Najib Razak and contributed to his government's shock defeat at May elections.

Goldman has faced mounting questions about its role as the bank helped 1MDB raise $6.5 billion through a series of bond issues.

Monday's charges allege the bank's subsidiaries and the two ex-bankers, working with a shadowy Malaysian financier, misappropriated $2.7 billion, bribed officials and gave false statements as they helped 1MDB to raise the cash.

But Goldman said in a statement that "certain members of the former Malaysian government and 1MDB lied to Goldman Sachs, outside counsel and others about the use of proceeds from these transactions."

"1MDB, whose CEO and board reported directly to the prime minister at the time, also provided written assurances to Goldman Sachs for each transaction that no intermediaries were involved," it said.

The Malaysian financier named in the charges, Low Taek Jho, allegedly masterminded the fraud and had huge influence over 1MDB but held no official positions at the fund.

He has been hit with several rounds of charges but maintains his innocence.

The ex-Goldman bankers named in the charges are Tim Leissner, who worked as Southeast Asia chairman and managing director at Goldman, and Ng Chong Hwa, a managing director at the bank.

The bank added that it was "not afforded an opportunity to be heard prior to the filing of these charges against certain Goldman Sachs entities, which we intend to vigorously contest".

Malaysian authorities are seeking fines above the $2.7 billion allegedly misappropriated from the bond issues as well as the $600 million Goldman earned in fees, and long jail terms for those accused.

As well as Leissner, Ng and Low, Malaysian authorities charged former 1MDB employee Jasmine Loo Ai Swan.

The bank's shares fell 2.7 per cent Monday after the charges were announced.&nbsp;

Goldman Sachs on Tuesday accused the former Malaysian government and state fund 1MDB of lying to the bank, after Kuala Lumpur charged the Wall Street titan over a massive financial scandal.

Goldman Sachs on Tuesday accused the former Malaysian government and state fund 1MDB of lying to the bank, after Kuala Lumpur charged the Wall Street titan over a massive financial scandal. Malaysia's attorney-general Monday filed criminal charges against the US bank and two of its ex-employees over the alleged looting of 1MDB. Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the fund and used to buy everything from yachts to artwork, in an audacious fraud that involved former Malaysian leader Najib Razak and contributed to his government's shock defeat at May elections. Goldman has faced mounting questions about its role as the bank helped 1MDB raise $6.5 billion through a series of bond issues. Monday's charges allege the bank's subsidiaries and the two ex-bankers, working with a shadowy Malaysian financier, misappropriated $2.7 billion, bribed officials and gave false statements as they helped 1MDB to raise the cash. But Goldman said in a statement that "certain members of the former Malaysian government and 1MDB lied to Goldman Sachs, outside counsel and others about the use of proceeds from these transactions." "1MDB, whose CEO and board reported directly to the prime minister at the time, also provided written assurances to Goldman Sachs for each transaction that no intermediaries were involved," it said. The Malaysian financier named in the charges, Low Taek Jho, allegedly masterminded the fraud and had huge influence over 1MDB but held no official positions at the fund. He has been hit with several rounds of charges but maintains his innocence. The ex-Goldman bankers named in the charges are Tim Leissner, who worked as Southeast Asia chairman and managing director at Goldman, and Ng Chong Hwa, a managing director at the bank. The bank added that it was "not afforded an opportunity to be heard prior to the filing of these charges against certain Goldman Sachs entities, which we intend to vigorously contest". Malaysian authorities are seeking fines above the $2.7 billion allegedly misappropriated from the bond issues as well as the $600 million Goldman earned in fees, and long jail terms for those accused. As well as Leissner, Ng and Low, Malaysian authorities charged former 1MDB employee Jasmine Loo Ai Swan. The bank's shares fell 2.7 per cent Monday after the charges were announced.

Previous Malaysian government lied after charges filed: Goldman Sachs

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/malaysia-ex-pm-najib-razak-and-ally-charged-in-16-billion-graft-case-173306">Malaysian ex-leader Najib Razak</a> and the former head of 1MDB were charged Wednesday with altering an audit of the state fund at the centre of a scandal that helped topple the last government.

Allegations that billions of dollars were taken from investment vehicle 1MDB and used to buy everything from a super-yacht to artworks played a major role in prompting voters to oust Najib's long-ruling regime at May elections.

Najib has now been hit with a total of 39 charges since losing power, most related to his alleged role in looting 1MDB.

Other figures linked to the previous administration have also been hauled into court.&nbsp;

The latest charges focus on claims that Najib ordered a report on 1MDB by the government's official audit body to be altered in February 2016, with the help of Arul Kanda, who was president and chief executive of the sovereign wealth fund at the time.

It was then presented to a parliamentary committee.

The government's chief auditor said last month the audit had been changed to remove details about the fund's true financial condition and to erase a mention of Low Taek Jho, a financier accused of masterminding the fraud, at a 1MDB board meeting.&nbsp;

Najib, 65, is accused of breaking laws that forbid officials from using their position for personal gain and faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted.

He pleaded not guilty and has denied all the charges against him so far.

Arul, being charged for the first time over the scandal, is accused of assisting Najib in altering the audit. He denied the allegation and faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted.

Both suspects were released on bail of 500,000 ringgit ($120,000) each.&nbsp;

Malaysian ex-leader Najib Razak and the former head of 1MDB were charged Wednesday with altering an audit of the state fund at the centre of a scandal that helped topple the last government.

Malaysian ex-leader Najib Razak and the former head of 1MDB were charged Wednesday with altering an audit of the state fund at the centre of a scandal that helped topple the last government. Allegations that billions of dollars were taken from investment vehicle 1MDB and used to buy everything from a super-yacht to artworks played a major role in prompting voters to oust Najib's long-ruling regime at May elections. Najib has now been hit with a total of 39 charges since losing power, most related to his alleged role in looting 1MDB. Other figures linked to the previous administration have also been hauled into court. The latest charges focus on claims that Najib ordered a report on 1MDB by the government's official audit body to be altered in February 2016, with the help of Arul Kanda, who was president and chief executive of the sovereign wealth fund at the time. It was then presented to a parliamentary committee. The government's chief auditor said last month the audit had been changed to remove details about the fund's true financial condition and to erase a mention of Low Taek Jho, a financier accused of masterminding the fraud, at a 1MDB board meeting. Najib, 65, is accused of breaking laws that forbid officials from using their position for personal gain and faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted. He pleaded not guilty and has denied all the charges against him so far. Arul, being charged for the first time over the scandal, is accused of assisting Najib in altering the audit. He denied the allegation and faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted. Both suspects were released on bail of 500,000 ringgit ($120,000) each.

Malaysian ex-leader, former 1MDB head Najib Razak charged for altering state funds

Malaysia's former leader Najib Razak and an ally were Thursday charged with allegedly looting $1.6 billion of public money, the latest accusations against figures from the scandal-plagued old regime.

Najib has now been hit with 38 charges since losing power, most of them related to allegations that he and his cronies plundered vast sums from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.

The scandal played a major part in prompting voters to oust his coalition at elections in May after six decades in power and elect a reformist alliance headed by Mahathir Mohamad.

Najib was jointly charged in a Kuala Lumpur court with ex-senior finance ministry official, Mohamad Irwan Serigar Abdullah, with six counts of criminal breach of trust.

They denied all the charges.

The crimes involved 6.6 billion ringgit ($1.6 billion) of public money and allegedly took place between December 2016 and December 2017. Each charge is punishable by up to 20 years in jail.&nbsp;

Local media reported that some of the money was used to pay debts owed by 1MDB to Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund IPIC.&nbsp;

The Malaysian fund slid into a massive debt hole as huge sums of money were allegedly stolen and used to buy everything from a super-yacht to high-end real estate and pricey artworks.&nbsp;

The US Department of Justice, which is seeking to seize assets allegedly bought with looted 1MDB money in America, alleges that a total of $4.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund.

Another key Najib ally, former spy chief Hasanah Abdul Hamid, is expected to be charged in court later Thursday.

The former prime minister's luxury-loving wife, Rosmah Mansor, and the new leader of his party and long-time lieutenant, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, have also been arrested and charged.

Malaysia's former leader Najib Razak and an ally were Thursday charged with allegedly looting $1.6 billion of public money, the latest accusations against figures from the scandal-plagued old regime.

Malaysia's former leader Najib Razak and an ally were Thursday charged with allegedly looting $1.6 billion of public money, the latest accusations against figures from the scandal-plagued old regime. Najib has now been hit with 38 charges since losing power, most of them related to allegations that he and his cronies plundered vast sums from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. The scandal played a major part in prompting voters to oust his coalition at elections in May after six decades in power and elect a reformist alliance headed by Mahathir Mohamad. Najib was jointly charged in a Kuala Lumpur court with ex-senior finance ministry official, Mohamad Irwan Serigar Abdullah, with six counts of criminal breach of trust. They denied all the charges. The crimes involved 6.6 billion ringgit ($1.6 billion) of public money and allegedly took place between December 2016 and December 2017. Each charge is punishable by up to 20 years in jail. Local media reported that some of the money was used to pay debts owed by 1MDB to Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund IPIC. The Malaysian fund slid into a massive debt hole as huge sums of money were allegedly stolen and used to buy everything from a super-yacht to high-end real estate and pricey artworks. The US Department of Justice, which is seeking to seize assets allegedly bought with looted 1MDB money in America, alleges that a total of $4.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund. Another key Najib ally, former spy chief Hasanah Abdul Hamid, is expected to be charged in court later Thursday. The former prime minister's luxury-loving wife, Rosmah Mansor, and the new leader of his party and long-time lieutenant, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, have also been arrested and charged.

Malaysia ex-PM Najib Razak and ally charged in $1.6 billion graft case

Malaysia's anti-graft agency arrested former first lady Rosmah Mansor on Wednesday and she will be charged with money laundering, her lawyer told Reuters.

Rosmah, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, was detained after being questioned by the anti-graft agency, her lawyer, K Kumaraendran, said.

She will be charged on Thursday, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Last Wednesday, anti-graft investigators spent nearly 13 hours recording Rosmah's statement as part of their inquiry into 1MDB.

The couple's world has been turned upside down since Najib lost the May election to his one-time mentor Mahathir Mohamad, who swiftly reopened a probe into 1MDB.

Corruption accusations have dogged Najib for years, and came to a head in 2015, when the Wall Street Journal reported that nearly $700 million in 1MDB funds was diverted to his personal bank account.

Rosmah, 66, has long been in the public eye over her penchant for handbags, jewellery and shopping sprees.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Malaysia's anti-graft agency arrested former first lady Rosmah Mansor on Wednesday and she will be charged with money laundering, her lawyer told Reuters. Rosmah, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, was detained after being questioned by the anti-graft agency, her lawyer, K Kumaraendran, said.

Malaysia's anti-graft agency arrested former first lady Rosmah Mansor on Wednesday and she will be charged with money laundering, her lawyer told Reuters. Rosmah, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, was detained after being questioned by the anti-graft agency, her lawyer, K Kumaraendran, said. She will be charged on Thursday, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said. Last Wednesday, anti-graft investigators spent nearly 13 hours recording Rosmah's statement as part of their inquiry into 1MDB. The couple's world has been turned upside down since Najib lost the May election to his one-time mentor Mahathir Mohamad, who swiftly reopened a probe into 1MDB. Corruption accusations have dogged Najib for years, and came to a head in 2015, when the Wall Street Journal reported that nearly $700 million in 1MDB funds was diverted to his personal bank account. Rosmah, 66, has long been in the public eye over her penchant for handbags, jewellery and shopping sprees. (With inputs from Reuters)

Wife of former Malaysian PM Najib Razak arrested by anti-graft agency

The luxury-loving wife of Malaysia's former prime minister faced fresh questioning Wednesday by anti-corruption investigators probing a multi-billion-dollar scandal that contributed to the old regime losing power.

Rosmah Mansor, widely reviled in Malaysia for her expensive tastes and imperious manner, arrived at the offices of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to be grilled.&nbsp;

Local media reported this week that anti-corruption officials were wrapping up their probe into Rosmah, and she could be charged soon.

It was the second time she has been quizzed by the graft-fighting body since her husband Najib Razak's coalition was unexpectedly booted out of office at elections in May after six decades in power.&nbsp;

A major factor in the loss were allegations that Najib, his family and his cronies looted billions of dollars from state fund 1MDB in an audacious fraud that stretched from Singapore to Switzerland.

Rosmah's love of costly overseas shopping trips, designer handbags and jewellery made her a lightning rod for public anger, and fuelled suspicions that she benefitted from the plundering of 1MDB.

After the election loss, a stash of cash, jewellery and hundreds of designer handbags worth as much as $273 million was seized from properties linked to Najib in raids around Kuala Lumpur.

Rosmah is often compared to Imelda Marcos, who left behind more than a thousand pairs of shoes after her husband, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, was ousted in 1986.

Najib's fall from grace has been swift since he was ousted from power by a reformist alliance led Mahathir Mohamad, 93, who is in his second stint as premier.

The ex-leader has been arrested and hit with 32 charges linked to the 1MDB scandal, including allegations that hundreds of millions of dollars ended up in his personal bank account. He denies any wrongdoing.

The luxury-loving wife of Malaysia's former prime minister faced fresh questioning Wednesday by anti-corruption investigators probing a multi-billion-dollar scandal that contributed to the old regime losing power.

The luxury-loving wife of Malaysia's former prime minister faced fresh questioning Wednesday by anti-corruption investigators probing a multi-billion-dollar scandal that contributed to the old regime losing power. Rosmah Mansor, widely reviled in Malaysia for her expensive tastes and imperious manner, arrived at the offices of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to be grilled. Local media reported this week that anti-corruption officials were wrapping up their probe into Rosmah, and she could be charged soon. It was the second time she has been quizzed by the graft-fighting body since her husband Najib Razak's coalition was unexpectedly booted out of office at elections in May after six decades in power. A major factor in the loss were allegations that Najib, his family and his cronies looted billions of dollars from state fund 1MDB in an audacious fraud that stretched from Singapore to Switzerland. Rosmah's love of costly overseas shopping trips, designer handbags and jewellery made her a lightning rod for public anger, and fuelled suspicions that she benefitted from the plundering of 1MDB. After the election loss, a stash of cash, jewellery and hundreds of designer handbags worth as much as $273 million was seized from properties linked to Najib in raids around Kuala Lumpur. Rosmah is often compared to Imelda Marcos, who left behind more than a thousand pairs of shoes after her husband, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, was ousted in 1986. Najib's fall from grace has been swift since he was ousted from power by a reformist alliance led Mahathir Mohamad, 93, who is in his second stint as premier. The ex-leader has been arrested and hit with 32 charges linked to the 1MDB scandal, including allegations that hundreds of millions of dollars ended up in his personal bank account. He denies any wrongdoing.

Former Malaysian PM's wife Mansor questioned by corruption investigators

The Malaysian government on Wednesday accepted the Central Bank governor's resignation over his role in debt finance in relation to the scandal-plagued state-owned investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

The resignation of Muhammad bin Ibrahim was announced in a brief statement released by Bank Negara, without specifying any reason for his resignation.

The Central Bank of Malaysia signed - at the behest of former prime minister Najib Razak - for the purchase of several pieces of land owned by the 1MDB to inject liquidity into the state-owned fund.

The money raised from the sale was used to pay the liabilities of 1MDB, Malaysia's Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng, said recently.

Najib lost his position as prime minister after the opposition won the general elections on May 9.

1MDB, which Najib created in 2009 and presided over until 2016, was created to attract foreign investment and create a financial district in Kuala Lumpur, but accrued a debt of 42 billion ringgit ($10.5 billion).

The former premier, who has been banned from leaving the country by order of the authorities, is being probed for an alleged siphoning of some $681 million from the 1MDB to his personal accounts.

Najib denied the allegations, claiming the money was a donation from a Saudi Arabian prince, an explanation that was accepted at that time by 1MDB, the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission and the then-attorney general, but the case was reopened after Malaysia's change in government.

Six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore, have opened a judicial investigation into the alleged 1MDB funds misappropriation.

The US Department of Justice has pegged the total amount diverted from 1MDB at $4.5 billion, of which some $1 billion is suspected to have been laundered in the US through the purchase of real estate, yachts, jewellery and artwork, among other things.

Six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore, have opened a judicial investigation into the alleged 1MDB funds misappropriation.

The Malaysian government on Wednesday accepted the Central Bank governor's resignation over his role in debt finance in relation to the scandal-plagued state-owned investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad. The resignation of Muhammad bin Ibrahim was announced in a brief statement released by Bank Negara, without specifying any reason for his resignation. The Central Bank of Malaysia signed - at the behest of former prime minister Najib Razak - for the purchase of several pieces of land owned by the 1MDB to inject liquidity into the state-owned fund. The money raised from the sale was used to pay the liabilities of 1MDB, Malaysia's Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng, said recently. Najib lost his position as prime minister after the opposition won the general elections on May 9. 1MDB, which Najib created in 2009 and presided over until 2016, was created to attract foreign investment and create a financial district in Kuala Lumpur, but accrued a debt of 42 billion ringgit ($10.5 billion). The former premier, who has been banned from leaving the country by order of the authorities, is being probed for an alleged siphoning of some $681 million from the 1MDB to his personal accounts. Najib denied the allegations, claiming the money was a donation from a Saudi Arabian prince, an explanation that was accepted at that time by 1MDB, the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission and the then-attorney general, but the case was reopened after Malaysia's change in government. Six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore, have opened a judicial investigation into the alleged 1MDB funds misappropriation. The US Department of Justice has pegged the total amount diverted from 1MDB at $4.5 billion, of which some $1 billion is suspected to have been laundered in the US through the purchase of real estate, yachts, jewellery and artwork, among other things.

1MDB scandal: Malaysia Central Bank governor Muhammad bin Ibrahim steps down

Malaysia is haggling over the terms of a $14 billion rail deal with its Chinese partners and can reduce its ballooning national debts by $50 billion by doing away with megaprojects, its prime minister said in an interview published on Saturday.

Mahathir Mohamad, the 92-year-old who triumphed over scandal-plagued Najib Razak in elections earlier this month, has made it a priority to cut the national debt and pledged to review major projects agreed by the previous government.

Work on the 55 billion ringgit ($13.82 billion) East Coast Rail Link - the largest such project in the country and a major part of Beijing's Belt and Road infrastructure push - started last year.

The project was planned to stretch 688 kilometres (430 miles) connecting the South China Sea at the Thai border in the east with the strategic shipping routes of the Straits of Malacca in the west.

"We are renegotiating the terms," Mahathir told the financial newspaper The Edge. "The terms are very damaging to our economy."

The project is being built by China Communications Construction Co Ltd, and is being mainly financed by a loan from China Exim Bank.

Mahathir also questioned the need for the project in the first place.

"He (Najib) knew very well that the ECRL, for example, is not something we could afford. It is not going to serve any purpose, it is not going to give us any returns," said Mahathir.

Addressing the need to reduce the national debt and liabilities - which the government puts at around one trillion ringgit ($251.32 billion) or 80 percent of its GDP - Mahathir said "at one go we can reduce it by 200 billion ringgit ($50.26 billion) by doing away with all these huge projects".

Mahathir said Malaysia is also going to look into how it can reduce the cost of any potential exit from a deal with Singapore for a high-speed rail (HSR) to link its capital Kuala Lumpur with the city-state, said Mahathir.

The project, valued by analysts at about $17 billion, is currently out for tender and is scheduled to be completed by 2026.

"The terms of the agreement (for the HSR) are such that if we decide to drop the project, it will cost us a lot of money," said Mahathir.

"So we are going to find out how we can reduce the amount of money we have to pay for breaking the agreement."

Malaysia is haggling over the terms of a $14 billion rail deal with its Chinese partners and can reduce its ballooning national debts by $50 billion by doing away with mega projects, its prime minister said in an interview published on Saturday

Malaysia is haggling over the terms of a $14 billion rail deal with its Chinese partners and can reduce its ballooning national debts by $50 billion by doing away with megaprojects, its prime minister said in an interview published on Saturday. Mahathir Mohamad, the 92-year-old who triumphed over scandal-plagued Najib Razak in elections earlier this month, has made it a priority to cut the national debt and pledged to review major projects agreed by the previous government. Work on the 55 billion ringgit ($13.82 billion) East Coast Rail Link - the largest such project in the country and a major part of Beijing's Belt and Road infrastructure push - started last year. The project was planned to stretch 688 kilometres (430 miles) connecting the South China Sea at the Thai border in the east with the strategic shipping routes of the Straits of Malacca in the west. "We are renegotiating the terms," Mahathir told the financial newspaper The Edge. "The terms are very damaging to our economy." The project is being built by China Communications Construction Co Ltd, and is being mainly financed by a loan from China Exim Bank. Mahathir also questioned the need for the project in the first place. "He (Najib) knew very well that the ECRL, for example, is not something we could afford. It is not going to serve any purpose, it is not going to give us any returns," said Mahathir. Addressing the need to reduce the national debt and liabilities - which the government puts at around one trillion ringgit ($251.32 billion) or 80 percent of its GDP - Mahathir said "at one go we can reduce it by 200 billion ringgit ($50.26 billion) by doing away with all these huge projects". Mahathir said Malaysia is also going to look into how it can reduce the cost of any potential exit from a deal with Singapore for a high-speed rail (HSR) to link its capital Kuala Lumpur with the city-state, said Mahathir. The project, valued by analysts at about $17 billion, is currently out for tender and is scheduled to be completed by 2026. "The terms of the agreement (for the HSR) are such that if we decide to drop the project, it will cost us a lot of money," said Mahathir. "So we are going to find out how we can reduce the amount of money we have to pay for breaking the agreement."

Malaysia renegotiating terms of major Belt-and-Road rail project: PM Mahathir

Malaysian police said Friday they found cash amounting to almost $30 million in a raid on a luxury apartment as they probed corruption allegations swirling around ousted leader Najib Razak.

The money was seized along with 284 boxes containing designer handbags, as well as watches and jewellery from a condominium in Kuala Lumpur, which was raided along with Najib's home and other sites last week.

Najib's coalition was thrown out of power for the first time in over six decades in the May 9 poll, defeated by a reformist alliance headed by his former mentor Mahathir Mohamad.

Public disgust at allegations of corruption swirling around Najib was a major factor for the loss, with the ex-leader, his family and cronies accused of looting billions of dollars from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.

There has been much speculation about what the seized goods consisted of and their value after five trucks were reportedly brought in to help move the vast stash.

Giving an update, the police's head of commercial crime Amar Singh said: "From the money found, there were 26 currencies, the total amount as of yesterday is 114 million (ringgit) ($28.6 million)."

The money was found in 35 bags while another 37 bags contained watches and jewellery, he told a press conference. The value of other items will be calculated later, he said.

The seizure of the luxury goods added to the public scorn of Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, long reviled by Malaysians for her perceived haughty demeanour and reported vast collection of designer bags, clothing and jewellery.

Her love of overseas shopping trips, as middle-class Malaysians struggle with rising living costs, added to a sense of spreading, deeply-entrenched rot in the country's long-ruling elite.

The couple's fall from grace has been swift and hard.&nbsp

They have been barred from leaving the country and the ex-premier has been questioned by anti-graft investigators over claims 1MDB money ended up in his bank accounts, and looks likely to be charged.

Najib and the fund deny any wrongdoing.

The money was seized along with 284 boxes containing designer handbags, as well as watches and jewellery from a condominium in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian police said Friday they found cash amounting to almost $30 million in a raid on a luxury apartment as they probed corruption allegations swirling around ousted leader Najib Razak. The money was seized along with 284 boxes containing designer handbags, as well as watches and jewellery from a condominium in Kuala Lumpur, which was raided along with Najib's home and other sites last week. Najib's coalition was thrown out of power for the first time in over six decades in the May 9 poll, defeated by a reformist alliance headed by his former mentor Mahathir Mohamad. Public disgust at allegations of corruption swirling around Najib was a major factor for the loss, with the ex-leader, his family and cronies accused of looting billions of dollars from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. There has been much speculation about what the seized goods consisted of and their value after five trucks were reportedly brought in to help move the vast stash. Giving an update, the police's head of commercial crime Amar Singh said: "From the money found, there were 26 currencies, the total amount as of yesterday is 114 million (ringgit) ($28.6 million)." The money was found in 35 bags while another 37 bags contained watches and jewellery, he told a press conference. The value of other items will be calculated later, he said. The seizure of the luxury goods added to the public scorn of Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, long reviled by Malaysians for her perceived haughty demeanour and reported vast collection of designer bags, clothing and jewellery. Her love of overseas shopping trips, as middle-class Malaysians struggle with rising living costs, added to a sense of spreading, deeply-entrenched rot in the country's long-ruling elite. The couple's fall from grace has been swift and hard. They have been barred from leaving the country and the ex-premier has been questioned by anti-graft investigators over claims 1MDB money ended up in his bank accounts, and looks likely to be charged. Najib and the fund deny any wrongdoing.

Almost $30 million seized in raids linked to Malaysian ex-PM Najib Razak

Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak arrived at the anti-graft agency Thursday to be questioned for a second time this week over a multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal following his shock election loss.

Najib's coalition suffered a defeat at the May 9 poll which ended their six-decade hold on power, beaten by a reformist alliance led by Mahathir Mohamad.

Mahathir, who first served as premier from 1981-2003 and came out of retirement aged 92 to take on Najib, campaigned on claims that the former leader and his cronies&nbsp;looted sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.

Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the fund in a sophisticated fraud, and used to buy everything from artworks to high-end real estate.

Najib pushed through a huge media scrum at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in the administrative capital of Putrajaya as he arrived to be quizzed about 1MDB money allegedly ending up in his personal bank accounts.

Najib is being questioned by the anti-corruption body over SRC International, an energy company that was originally a subsidiary of 1MDB.

According to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal, 42 million ringgit ($10.6 million) originating from SRC was transferred to Najib's personal bank accounts.&nbsp;

It is just one small part in the graft scandal, which is being investigated in several countries.

Hundreds of millions of dollars from 1MDB allegedly ended up in Najib's accounts but the ex-leader and the investment vehicle have denied any wrongdoing.

Mahathir has vowed to fully investigate the financial scandal.

After holding meetings with key figures from 1MDB Wednesday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the fund was insolvent, could not pay its debts, and its chief was "utterly dishonest".

Najib and his unpopular wife Rosmah Mansor have suffered a swift fall from grace. Police have raided properties linked to them and seized a huge stash of handbags, cash and jewels.

The ousted leader has sought to mount a fightback in recent days, insisting he has not stolen public and attacking the new government.&nbsp;

In a Facebook post late Wednesday, he accused the new prime minister and finance minister of causing the stock market to fall by saying that the country's national debt was huge.

"Words spoken while in such positions of power result in actual losses to the country and the people," he said.

Najib's coalition suffered a defeat at the May 9 poll which ended their six-decade hold on power, beaten by a reformist alliance led by Mahathir Mohamad.

Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak arrived at the anti-graft agency Thursday to be questioned for a second time this week over a multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal following his shock election loss. Najib's coalition suffered a defeat at the May 9 poll which ended their six-decade hold on power, beaten by a reformist alliance led by Mahathir Mohamad. Mahathir, who first served as premier from 1981-2003 and came out of retirement aged 92 to take on Najib, campaigned on claims that the former leader and his cronies looted sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the fund in a sophisticated fraud, and used to buy everything from artworks to high-end real estate. Najib pushed through a huge media scrum at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in the administrative capital of Putrajaya as he arrived to be quizzed about 1MDB money allegedly ending up in his personal bank accounts. Najib is being questioned by the anti-corruption body over SRC International, an energy company that was originally a subsidiary of 1MDB. According to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal, 42 million ringgit ($10.6 million) originating from SRC was transferred to Najib's personal bank accounts. It is just one small part in the graft scandal, which is being investigated in several countries. Hundreds of millions of dollars from 1MDB allegedly ended up in Najib's accounts but the ex-leader and the investment vehicle have denied any wrongdoing. Mahathir has vowed to fully investigate the financial scandal. After holding meetings with key figures from 1MDB Wednesday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the fund was insolvent, could not pay its debts, and its chief was "utterly dishonest". Najib and his unpopular wife Rosmah Mansor have suffered a swift fall from grace. Police have raided properties linked to them and seized a huge stash of handbags, cash and jewels. The ousted leader has sought to mount a fightback in recent days, insisting he has not stolen public and attacking the new government. In a Facebook post late Wednesday, he accused the new prime minister and finance minister of causing the stock market to fall by saying that the country's national debt was huge. "Words spoken while in such positions of power result in actual losses to the country and the people," he said.

Ex-Malaysian PM quizzed second time over graft claims

Scandal-tainted former Malaysian leader Najib Razak arrived Tuesday at the anti-corruption agency for questioning over a massive financial scandal that helped to bring down his long-ruling regime.

Najib's coalition suffered a shock defeat at the May 9 poll, beaten by a reformist alliance led by Mahathir Mohamad, which broke their six-decade stranglehold on power.

Mahathir, who first served as premier from 1981-2003 and came out of retirement aged 92 to take on Najib, and his allies focused on claims that the former leader and his cronies looted sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.&nbsp;

Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the fund in a sophisticated fraud, and used to buy everything from artworks to high-end real estate.

Najib and his reviled, luxury-loving wife Rosmah Mansor have had a swift fall from grace. They have been barred from leaving the country, and police have seized handbags, jewels and cash during raids on properties linked to the couple.

The ousted leader arrived at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in the administrative capital of Putrajaya, walking through a scrum of about 100 journalists.

Najib was summoned by the MACC to give a statement over claims surrounding SRC International, an energy company that was originally a subsidiary of 1MDB, and forms just one part of the wide-ranging probe into the scandal.

SRC was placed under the finance ministry in 2012 -- Najib was finance minister as well as premier at the time.&nbsp;

According to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal, 42 million ringgit ($10.6 million) originating from SRC was transferred to Najib's personal bank accounts.&nbsp;

Hundreds of millions of dollars from 1MDB allegedly ended up there.

Najib and 1MDB have denied any wrongdoing. A domestic investigation launched during his premiership concluded that the money in his accounts was a donation from the Saudi royal family.

Abdul Razak Idris, a former senior officer with the anti-graft agency who last week lodged reports against Najib, praised the body for quickly hauling in Najib.

"If we delay, a lot of evidence can be lost or tampered with," he told AFP.&nbsp;

As reports proliferated in recent years that billions were looted from 1MDB, Najib's government shut down domestic inquiries into the scandal, arrested critics calling for a full investigations and muzzled news organisations reporting on the affair.

Mahathir has vowed to fully investigate the financial scandal. On Monday the new government set up a task force headed by high-ranking current and senior officials to probe the controversy.

&nbsp;

Najib's coalition suffered a shock defeat at the May 9 poll, beaten by a reformist alliance led by Mahathir Mohamad

Scandal-tainted former Malaysian leader Najib Razak arrived Tuesday at the anti-corruption agency for questioning over a massive financial scandal that helped to bring down his long-ruling regime. Najib's coalition suffered a shock defeat at the May 9 poll, beaten by a reformist alliance led by Mahathir Mohamad, which broke their six-decade stranglehold on power. Mahathir, who first served as premier from 1981-2003 and came out of retirement aged 92 to take on Najib, and his allies focused on claims that the former leader and his cronies looted sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the fund in a sophisticated fraud, and used to buy everything from artworks to high-end real estate. Najib and his reviled, luxury-loving wife Rosmah Mansor have had a swift fall from grace. They have been barred from leaving the country, and police have seized handbags, jewels and cash during raids on properties linked to the couple. The ousted leader arrived at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in the administrative capital of Putrajaya, walking through a scrum of about 100 journalists. Najib was summoned by the MACC to give a statement over claims surrounding SRC International, an energy company that was originally a subsidiary of 1MDB, and forms just one part of the wide-ranging probe into the scandal. SRC was placed under the finance ministry in 2012 -- Najib was finance minister as well as premier at the time. According to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal, 42 million ringgit ($10.6 million) originating from SRC was transferred to Najib's personal bank accounts. Hundreds of millions of dollars from 1MDB allegedly ended up there. Najib and 1MDB have denied any wrongdoing. A domestic investigation launched during his premiership concluded that the money in his accounts was a donation from the Saudi royal family. Abdul Razak Idris, a former senior officer with the anti-graft agency who last week lodged reports against Najib, praised the body for quickly hauling in Najib. "If we delay, a lot of evidence can be lost or tampered with," he told AFP. As reports proliferated in recent years that billions were looted from 1MDB, Najib's government shut down domestic inquiries into the scandal, arrested critics calling for a full investigations and muzzled news organisations reporting on the affair. Mahathir has vowed to fully investigate the financial scandal. On Monday the new government set up a task force headed by high-ranking current and senior officials to probe the controversy.

Ex-Malaysia PM Najib quizzed by graft agency

Malaysia's scandal-tainted former leader Sunday denied he stole public funds and complained of the way he has been treated since he unexpectedly lost power in a stunning election defeat.

Striking a defiant tone in the face of a deepening corruption investigation, Najib Razak urged his political party to "fight on" after it was toppled in the May 9 vote by a political coalition that had focused on the allegations against him.

"I did not steal the people's money," Najib, 64, asserted during a visit to the rural home constituency he has represented for decades, where he was welcomed by crowds of supporters of his ethnic-Malay party.

"I was prepared to hand over power gracefully. But once I did that, I was not treated properly."&nbsp;

Najib has been barred from leaving Malaysia as the new government investigates accusations he took part in the looting of billions of dollars from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB in a vast conspiracy of fraud and money-laundering.

Police last week seized what they called a huge trove of cash, jewels and luxury items from his home and other properties.

Najib had said little since the raids other than to complain to local media about how they were conducted.

But on Sunday he returned to his home district of Pekan in an apparent bid to seize back the narrative before a visit to Malaysia's anti-graft agency, which has summoned him to appear on Tuesday. &nbsp;

"I am amazed that even though I am no longer the prime minister, there are so many people at this event," he said during a ceremony opening a branch office of his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

"I think this is the true spirit of UMNO. Even though we are in tears... (and) power is no longer in our hands, no one can kill our spirit to fight on."

Gifts from friends

UMNO had controlled multi-ethnic Malaysia since independence in 1957, and the country became a regional economic success story under its rule.

But long-simmering resentment over its oppressive tactics and corruption sent the party to a resounding defeat at the hands of a coalition led by 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad, a longtime UMNO leader and former prime minister.

UMNO is now in crisis following the drubbing, which prompted Najib's resignation as its leader.

Najib's denial of wrongdoing comes despite detailed evidence that has emerged in recent years indicating that he, his family, and cronies plundered 1MDB.

These include US Department of Justice civil lawsuits seeking to seize $1.7 billion in real estate, artworks and other luxuries allegedly bought with money looted from the fund.

Mahathir said last week that he expected Najib to face criminal charges soon.

"There were a lot of allegations made... I was the target because I was the prime minister and party president," Najib told supporters.

Najib has complained about the overnight police searches and said many personal items unrelated to 1MDB were improperly impounded.

He has said the money and luxury items seized -- which police said were so vast that it would take time to tally their worth -- were gifts from friends and cash donations for his election campaign.

Malaysia's scandal-tainted former leader Sunday denied he stole public funds and complained of the way he has been treated since he unexpectedly lost power in a stunning election defeat

Malaysia's scandal-tainted former leader Sunday denied he stole public funds and complained of the way he has been treated since he unexpectedly lost power in a stunning election defeat. Striking a defiant tone in the face of a deepening corruption investigation, Najib Razak urged his political party to "fight on" after it was toppled in the May 9 vote by a political coalition that had focused on the allegations against him. "I did not steal the people's money," Najib, 64, asserted during a visit to the rural home constituency he has represented for decades, where he was welcomed by crowds of supporters of his ethnic-Malay party. "I was prepared to hand over power gracefully. But once I did that, I was not treated properly." Najib has been barred from leaving Malaysia as the new government investigates accusations he took part in the looting of billions of dollars from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB in a vast conspiracy of fraud and money-laundering. Police last week seized what they called a huge trove of cash, jewels and luxury items from his home and other properties. Najib had said little since the raids other than to complain to local media about how they were conducted. But on Sunday he returned to his home district of Pekan in an apparent bid to seize back the narrative before a visit to Malaysia's anti-graft agency, which has summoned him to appear on Tuesday. "I am amazed that even though I am no longer the prime minister, there are so many people at this event," he said during a ceremony opening a branch office of his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). "I think this is the true spirit of UMNO. Even though we are in tears... (and) power is no longer in our hands, no one can kill our spirit to fight on." Gifts from friends UMNO had controlled multi-ethnic Malaysia since independence in 1957, and the country became a regional economic success story under its rule. But long-simmering resentment over its oppressive tactics and corruption sent the party to a resounding defeat at the hands of a coalition led by 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad, a longtime UMNO leader and former prime minister. UMNO is now in crisis following the drubbing, which prompted Najib's resignation as its leader. Najib's denial of wrongdoing comes despite detailed evidence that has emerged in recent years indicating that he, his family, and cronies plundered 1MDB. These include US Department of Justice civil lawsuits seeking to seize $1.7 billion in real estate, artworks and other luxuries allegedly bought with money looted from the fund. Mahathir said last week that he expected Najib to face criminal charges soon. "There were a lot of allegations made... I was the target because I was the prime minister and party president," Najib told supporters. Najib has complained about the overnight police searches and said many personal items unrelated to 1MDB were improperly impounded. He has said the money and luxury items seized -- which police said were so vast that it would take time to tally their worth -- were gifts from friends and cash donations for his election campaign.

Malaysia ex-PM Najib Razak denies graft charges in visit to home region

Ousted Malaysian premier Najib Razak is already in hot water over allegations he looted state funds, but his legal woes could worsen as calls grow for a fresh look at an even darker past scandal involving the grisly slaying of a young model.

The lurid earlier affair centred on allegations that Malaysian officials took huge kickbacks in the 2002 purchase of Scorpene submarines from France when Najib was defence minister.

The sensational saga transfixed Malaysia for years until the authoritarian former regime used its leverage to bury it, though whispers persisted that Najib, 64, and his wife Rosmah Mansor were deeply involved.

But Najib was trounced in a May 9 election and Malaysia's new government has vowed to investigate not only current allegations that he stole billions from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, but also lift the lid on other unresolved scandals from the past.

"We are very encouraged by the quick moves so far on (1MDB) and that the government is taking previous corruption seriously," said Cynthia Gabriel, who heads the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), a Malaysian NGO.

"In this regard, scandals like Scorpene cannot be ignored. Pressure is building and its going to get more interesting."

Najib's immediate concern is allegations that he, his family, and cronies pillaged billions from 1MDB. He is barred from leaving Malaysia and police have seized large amounts of cash, jewels and luxury items from his home and other sites.

Alleged cover-up

But 1MDB pales in many ways to the Scorpene affair, which has sex, betrayal, submarines, a fugitive assassin, and an unfortunate Mongolian former model.

French submarine maker DCNS is alleged to have paid more than 114 million euros ($134 million) in kickbacks to a shell company linked to Abdul Razak Baginda, a close Najib associate who brokered the $1.1 billion submarine deal.

Abdul Razak's Mongolian mistress Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was said to have demanded a cut for translating during negotiations, was shot dead and her body blown up with military-grade plastic explosives near Kuala Lumpur in 2006.

Allegations that Najib and Rosmah were involved in the killing -- carried out by two government bodyguards -- were steadfastly denied. Najib also was forced to publicly deny having had an affair with Altantuya.

The case sank off the radar after a Malaysian court in 2008 cleared Abdul Razak of abetting the murder, sparking allegations of a huge cover-up to protect Najib, by then promoted to deputy prime minister.

But the election result changes the equation.

Sirul Azhar Umar, who was convicted along with another police bodyguard in the killing and fled to Australia in 2015, told a Malaysian news outlet Saturday he was ready to reveal who ordered the murder.

"I am willing to assist the new government to tell what actually transpired provided that the government grants me (a) full pardon," Sirul, who is in Australian immigration custody, told news website Malaysiakini.

Sirul has maintained that he and his accomplice were scapegoats for "important people", but with family still in Malaysia, he has so far held back revealing what happened.

Calls for new trial

Leading Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim, released from jail last week in the wake of the election and expected to eventually become prime minister, told AFP on Thursday that Sirul and his accomplice Azilah Hadri should be granted fresh trials.&nbsp

"At that time, the judiciary was compromised," Anwar, 70, said in an interview.

"I don't know to what extent Najib was involved or not, but he's certainly implicated in some way."

Also looming is a slow-moving effort in French courts that could reveal more.

French judicial sources last year told AFP that investigators there had indicted two former top French executives linked to the Scorpene deal, as well as Abdul Razak.

Following Malaysia's election, C4 publicly called for an immediate investigation of Najib and others over the submarines and Altantuya's murder.

Gabriel admits the sheer backlog of scandals under the past regime, including dodgy land deals, looting of timber resources, and numerous deaths of government critics while in police custody, could slow progress in the Scorpene case.

Powerful vested interests, such as former establishment figures now aligned with the new government, also may resist full transparency, she said.

"It might be tricky. But if they truly are now behind the rule of law, no stone should be unturned," Gabriel said.

Dredging up the truth in the Scorpene case can be risky.

In 2008, a private investigator involved in the affair, P. Balasubramaniam, implicated government officials including Najib in the murder. He quickly recanted, later saying he did so under duress, and fled to India.

He returned in 2013 vowing to reveal the truth just as Najib faced crucial elections.

He died two weeks later, with authorities blaming a heart attack.

The lurid earlier affair centred on allegations that Malaysian officials took huge kickbacks in the 2002 purchase of Scorpene submarines from France when Najib was defence minister

Ousted Malaysian premier Najib Razak is already in hot water over allegations he looted state funds, but his legal woes could worsen as calls grow for a fresh look at an even darker past scandal involving the grisly slaying of a young model. The lurid earlier affair centred on allegations that Malaysian officials took huge kickbacks in the 2002 purchase of Scorpene submarines from France when Najib was defence minister. The sensational saga transfixed Malaysia for years until the authoritarian former regime used its leverage to bury it, though whispers persisted that Najib, 64, and his wife Rosmah Mansor were deeply involved. But Najib was trounced in a May 9 election and Malaysia's new government has vowed to investigate not only current allegations that he stole billions from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, but also lift the lid on other unresolved scandals from the past. "We are very encouraged by the quick moves so far on (1MDB) and that the government is taking previous corruption seriously," said Cynthia Gabriel, who heads the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), a Malaysian NGO. "In this regard, scandals like Scorpene cannot be ignored. Pressure is building and its going to get more interesting." Najib's immediate concern is allegations that he, his family, and cronies pillaged billions from 1MDB. He is barred from leaving Malaysia and police have seized large amounts of cash, jewels and luxury items from his home and other sites. Alleged cover-up But 1MDB pales in many ways to the Scorpene affair, which has sex, betrayal, submarines, a fugitive assassin, and an unfortunate Mongolian former model. French submarine maker DCNS is alleged to have paid more than 114 million euros ($134 million) in kickbacks to a shell company linked to Abdul Razak Baginda, a close Najib associate who brokered the $1.1 billion submarine deal. Abdul Razak's Mongolian mistress Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was said to have demanded a cut for translating during negotiations, was shot dead and her body blown up with military-grade plastic explosives near Kuala Lumpur in 2006. Allegations that Najib and Rosmah were involved in the killing -- carried out by two government bodyguards -- were steadfastly denied. Najib also was forced to publicly deny having had an affair with Altantuya. The case sank off the radar after a Malaysian court in 2008 cleared Abdul Razak of abetting the murder, sparking allegations of a huge cover-up to protect Najib, by then promoted to deputy prime minister. But the election result changes the equation. Sirul Azhar Umar, who was convicted along with another police bodyguard in the killing and fled to Australia in 2015, told a Malaysian news outlet Saturday he was ready to reveal who ordered the murder. "I am willing to assist the new government to tell what actually transpired provided that the government grants me (a) full pardon," Sirul, who is in Australian immigration custody, told news website Malaysiakini. Sirul has maintained that he and his accomplice were scapegoats for "important people", but with family still in Malaysia, he has so far held back revealing what happened. Calls for new trial Leading Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim, released from jail last week in the wake of the election and expected to eventually become prime minister, told AFP on Thursday that Sirul and his accomplice Azilah Hadri should be granted fresh trials. "At that time, the judiciary was compromised," Anwar, 70, said in an interview. "I don't know to what extent Najib was involved or not, but he's certainly implicated in some way." Also looming is a slow-moving effort in French courts that could reveal more. French judicial sources last year told AFP that investigators there had indicted two former top French executives linked to the Scorpene deal, as well as Abdul Razak. Following Malaysia's election, C4 publicly called for an immediate investigation of Najib and others over the submarines and Altantuya's murder. Gabriel admits the sheer backlog of scandals under the past regime, including dodgy land deals, looting of timber resources, and numerous deaths of government critics while in police custody, could slow progress in the Scorpene case. Powerful vested interests, such as former establishment figures now aligned with the new government, also may resist full transparency, she said. "It might be tricky. But if they truly are now behind the rule of law, no stone should be unturned," Gabriel said. Dredging up the truth in the Scorpene case can be risky. In 2008, a private investigator involved in the affair, P. Balasubramaniam, implicated government officials including Najib in the murder. He quickly recanted, later saying he did so under duress, and fled to India. He returned in 2013 vowing to reveal the truth just as Najib faced crucial elections. He died two weeks later, with authorities blaming a heart attack.

Lurid tale of bribery and murder looms anew for Malaysia's Najib

Police conducted an extensive search of the home of Malaysia's scandal-tainted former PM on Thursday&nbsp;that his lawyer decried as "harassment", as the new government presses forward with probes into a massive graft scandal after seizing power in historic elections.

Police arriving in a dozen vehicles converged on the home of corruption-tainted Najib Razak in Kuala Lumpur beginning late&nbsp;Wednesday, drawing crowds of journalists and onlookers.

A lawyer for Najib said officers were searching the home and a separate apartment in a "money-laundering" probe.

The search at Najib's home continued into&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;afternoon.

The new government headed by 92-year-old former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who secured a stunning election victory last week, has vowed to probe allegations that Najib oversaw the looting of a sovereign wealth fund.

But Najib's lawyer Harpal Singh Grewal said his client, 64, viewed the search as "harassment".

"The police just took some handbags and some clothes," Harpal said.&nbsp;

His mention of handbags prompted snickering on Malaysian social media.

Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor is ridiculed over her reported penchant for jet-set overseas shopping trips and a vast collection of designer handbags, clothing and jewellery, all symbolic -- critics say -- of the ousted government's lack of concern for economically struggling citizens.

Harpal said the house contained only personal belongings, though he added that police also were attempting to open a safe, the key for which had been "lost".

"This is harassment. Whatever... is in the house is not commensurate with the allegations," Harpal told AFP.

"(Najib) has told them: 'Tell me what you want. We will give.'"

Harpal said the search left Najib "very tired and visibly upset".

There was no indication that any arrests were planned.

Police officials confirmed the search to AFP but declined to give details.

The police action adds to a sense of rising legal peril for Najib, who was barred from leaving the country just days after the election over allegations that he, his family, and cronies looted billions from state investment fund 1MDB.

Last week's poll ended the six-decade reign of the authoritarian Barisan Nasional coalition. Mahathir had led the coalition from 1981-2003.

The search began just hours after the pardon and release from prison of Anwar Ibrahim, a top figure in the now-victorious political alliance.

Anwar, 70, had spent the last three years in jail under Najib.

Speaking to Australian media after his release, Anwar called also for a fresh look into another shocking scandal linked to Najib.

A young Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu, was murdered and her body destroyed with explosives in Malaysia in 2006.&nbsp;

She had been the lover of a former close Najib associate who was accused of arranging kickbacks for the purchase of French submarines in 2002 at a time when Najib was defence minister.

A former Malaysian police officer Sirul Azhar Umar, who is now in Australian custody, has claimed that he was ordered by "important people" to carry out the killing who scapegoated him.&nbsp;

Anwar said Sirul, who later fled to Australia after being sentenced to hang over the murder, should be allowed to face a new trial back in Malaysia to get at the truth, The Australian newspaper said.

Najib has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing over the deal amid allegations that French submarine maker DCNS paid kickbacks of more than 114 million euros (US$142 million) for two Scorpene submarines.

Just before the police raid, Najib went to a nearby mosque for special prayers for the Islamic holy month Ramadan, which began&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;in Malaysia.&nbsp;

Najib later tweeted a traditional prayer that calls for people to be forgiven of their sins.

As police searched Najib's home, spectator Mimie Lai, 45, said she had travelled to the scene to "see what happens to the ex-prime minister and all the scandals... involving him and his wife".

"I feel that finally, justice is coming, somebody heard... what the people are praying for," she said.

Anwar's release&nbsp;Wednesday&nbsp;captivated the nation, with ecstatic supporters and journalists mobbing him amid shouts of "Reformasi" (Reform) -- his rallying cry and Anwar declaring a "new dawn for Malaysia".

Anwar's old foe Mahathir is now an ally and has signalled his intention to eventually step aside so Anwar, his deputy prime minister in the 1990s, can take over.

Police arriving in a dozen vehicles converged on the home of corruption-tainted Najib Razak in Kuala Lumpur beginning late Wednesday, drawing crowds of journalists and onlookers

Police conducted an extensive search of the home of Malaysia's scandal-tainted former PM on Thursday that his lawyer decried as "harassment", as the new government presses forward with probes into a massive graft scandal after seizing power in historic elections. Police arriving in a dozen vehicles converged on the home of corruption-tainted Najib Razak in Kuala Lumpur beginning late Wednesday, drawing crowds of journalists and onlookers. A lawyer for Najib said officers were searching the home and a separate apartment in a "money-laundering" probe. The search at Najib's home continued into Thursday afternoon. The new government headed by 92-year-old former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who secured a stunning election victory last week, has vowed to probe allegations that Najib oversaw the looting of a sovereign wealth fund. But Najib's lawyer Harpal Singh Grewal said his client, 64, viewed the search as "harassment". "The police just took some handbags and some clothes," Harpal said. His mention of handbags prompted snickering on Malaysian social media. Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor is ridiculed over her reported penchant for jet-set overseas shopping trips and a vast collection of designer handbags, clothing and jewellery, all symbolic -- critics say -- of the ousted government's lack of concern for economically struggling citizens. Harpal said the house contained only personal belongings, though he added that police also were attempting to open a safe, the key for which had been "lost". "This is harassment. Whatever... is in the house is not commensurate with the allegations," Harpal told AFP. "(Najib) has told them: 'Tell me what you want. We will give.'" Harpal said the search left Najib "very tired and visibly upset". There was no indication that any arrests were planned. Police officials confirmed the search to AFP but declined to give details. The police action adds to a sense of rising legal peril for Najib, who was barred from leaving the country just days after the election over allegations that he, his family, and cronies looted billions from state investment fund 1MDB. Last week's poll ended the six-decade reign of the authoritarian Barisan Nasional coalition. Mahathir had led the coalition from 1981-2003. The search began just hours after the pardon and release from prison of Anwar Ibrahim, a top figure in the now-victorious political alliance. Anwar, 70, had spent the last three years in jail under Najib. Speaking to Australian media after his release, Anwar called also for a fresh look into another shocking scandal linked to Najib. A young Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu, was murdered and her body destroyed with explosives in Malaysia in 2006. She had been the lover of a former close Najib associate who was accused of arranging kickbacks for the purchase of French submarines in 2002 at a time when Najib was defence minister. A former Malaysian police officer Sirul Azhar Umar, who is now in Australian custody, has claimed that he was ordered by "important people" to carry out the killing who scapegoated him. Anwar said Sirul, who later fled to Australia after being sentenced to hang over the murder, should be allowed to face a new trial back in Malaysia to get at the truth, The Australian newspaper said. Najib has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing over the deal amid allegations that French submarine maker DCNS paid kickbacks of more than 114 million euros (US$142 million) for two Scorpene submarines. Just before the police raid, Najib went to a nearby mosque for special prayers for the Islamic holy month Ramadan, which began Thursday in Malaysia. Najib later tweeted a traditional prayer that calls for people to be forgiven of their sins. As police searched Najib's home, spectator Mimie Lai, 45, said she had travelled to the scene to "see what happens to the ex-prime minister and all the scandals... involving him and his wife". "I feel that finally, justice is coming, somebody heard... what the people are praying for," she said. Anwar's release Wednesday captivated the nation, with ecstatic supporters and journalists mobbing him amid shouts of "Reformasi" (Reform) -- his rallying cry and Anwar declaring a "new dawn for Malaysia". Anwar's old foe Mahathir is now an ally and has signalled his intention to eventually step aside so Anwar, his deputy prime minister in the 1990s, can take over.

Police search scandal-tainted ex-Malaysia PM's home

<a href="www.wionews.com/world/malaysias-anwar-ibrahim-freed-from-jail-after-mahathir-election-win-137351">Anwar Ibrahim</a>, a controversial figure in Malaysian politics, was freed on Wednesday after pardon from King Sultan Muhammad V. Anwar was sentenced to five-year jail term for sodomy, a charge he says was trumped up by the government of ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak. This was the second time Anwar was jailed he was first convicted of sodomy in 2002.

Who is Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar first rose to prominence in the 1970s as a radical Islamic student leader, taking part in protests over rural hunger that earned the first of his three jailings by Malaysia's authoritarian regime. He was held for 20 months under a draconian security law.

But he later shocked many associates by joining the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), and eventually caught the eye of Mahathir, the tough leader who dominated politics from 1981 to 2003 and has continued to exert formidable influence.

Anwar enjoyed a meteoric rise in the now-ousted Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. Anwar headed various ministries under Mahathir's tutelage in the 1990s, earning praise as a reformer. He eventually became deputy prime minister and Mahathir's presumed successor but fell out with his mentor during the 1998 Asian financial crisis.

The prison term

Anwar launched the 'Reformasi' movement two decades ago to challenge diverse Malaysia's race- and patronage-based politics. The movement challenged Mahathir's government and within weeks, Anwar was arrested and jailed on charges of sodomy and corruption.

Images at the time of a goateed, bespectacled Anwar in court with a black eye and bruises brought condemnation of Mahathir from around the world.

Anwar's trial became a spectacle, with prosecutors at one stage bringing out what they said was a semen-stained mattress allegedly used when he had sex with two male aides.

After being freed in 2004, Anwar was jailed a second time. Both times, he and his supporters have said the charges were politically motivated.

Why the pardon

Anwar was originally jailed 20 years ago by then-premier Mahathir Mohamad, on what supporters insisted were trumped up sodomy charges. He was imprisoned again in 2015 by Najib Razak, the man who was ousted last week in shock polls.

His prison term was scheduled to end on June 8, but Anwar came out of prison early following a pardon from King Sultan Muhammad V after a meeting of the Pardons Board which took into consideration the provisions under Article 42 of the Malaysian Constitution. The pardon was granted on the grounds that there had been a miscarriage of justice.

The deal with Mahathir

Anwar's release caps a remarkable reversal of fortune made possible by the BN's unexpected electoral drubbing a week ago.

The former autocrat Mahathir - who headed BN for 22 years until 2003 - came out of retirement to lead a disparate opposition first assembled by Anwar to a upset victory, fuelled by rising public anger at a massive government corruption scandal under Najib.

Under a pre-election pact, Mahathir, 92, had vowed to enable Anwar's release and eventually step aside for him to become prime minister. On Tuesday, Mahathir said he expected to be prime minister for one or two more years, setting off talk of fresh differences between the two.

The king's pardon enables Anwar to re-enter politics immediately. He cannot directly join the government anytime soon.

He must first be elected to Parliament, having been stripped of his seat in 2015 when his conviction on charges of sodomising a young male aide was upheld on appeal and he went to jail a second time.

Anwar enjoyed a meteoric rise in the now-ousted Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. Anwar headed various ministries under Mahathir's tutelage in the 1990s, earning praise as a reformer.

Anwar Ibrahim, a controversial figure in Malaysian politics, was freed on Wednesday after pardon from King Sultan Muhammad V. Anwar was sentenced to five-year jail term for sodomy, a charge he says was trumped up by the government of ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak. This was the second time Anwar was jailed he was first convicted of sodomy in 2002. Who is Anwar Ibrahim Anwar first rose to prominence in the 1970s as a radical Islamic student leader, taking part in protests over rural hunger that earned the first of his three jailings by Malaysia's authoritarian regime. He was held for 20 months under a draconian security law. But he later shocked many associates by joining the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), and eventually caught the eye of Mahathir, the tough leader who dominated politics from 1981 to 2003 and has continued to exert formidable influence. Anwar enjoyed a meteoric rise in the now-ousted Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. Anwar headed various ministries under Mahathir's tutelage in the 1990s, earning praise as a reformer. He eventually became deputy prime minister and Mahathir's presumed successor but fell out with his mentor during the 1998 Asian financial crisis. The prison term Anwar launched the 'Reformasi' movement two decades ago to challenge diverse Malaysia's race- and patronage-based politics. The movement challenged Mahathir's government and within weeks, Anwar was arrested and jailed on charges of sodomy and corruption. Images at the time of a goateed, bespectacled Anwar in court with a black eye and bruises brought condemnation of Mahathir from around the world. Anwar's trial became a spectacle, with prosecutors at one stage bringing out what they said was a semen-stained mattress allegedly used when he had sex with two male aides. After being freed in 2004, Anwar was jailed a second time. Both times, he and his supporters have said the charges were politically motivated. Why the pardon Anwar was originally jailed 20 years ago by then-premier Mahathir Mohamad, on what supporters insisted were trumped up sodomy charges. He was imprisoned again in 2015 by Najib Razak, the man who was ousted last week in shock polls. His prison term was scheduled to end on June 8, but Anwar came out of prison early following a pardon from King Sultan Muhammad V after a meeting of the Pardons Board which took into consideration the provisions under Article 42 of the Malaysian Constitution. The pardon was granted on the grounds that there had been a miscarriage of justice. The deal with Mahathir Anwar's release caps a remarkable reversal of fortune made possible by the BN's unexpected electoral drubbing a week ago. The former autocrat Mahathir - who headed BN for 22 years until 2003 - came out of retirement to lead a disparate opposition first assembled by Anwar to a upset victory, fuelled by rising public anger at a massive government corruption scandal under Najib. Under a pre-election pact, Mahathir, 92, had vowed to enable Anwar's release and eventually step aside for him to become prime minister. On Tuesday, Mahathir said he expected to be prime minister for one or two more years, setting off talk of fresh differences between the two. The king's pardon enables Anwar to re-enter politics immediately. He cannot directly join the government anytime soon. He must first be elected to Parliament, having been stripped of his seat in 2015 when his conviction on charges of sodomising a young male aide was upheld on appeal and he went to jail a second time.

The roller-coaster life of Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim

The pardons board in Malaysia's capital will meet on Wednesday to discuss the release of jailed reformist leader Anwar Ibrahim, the palace and his party have said.

Anwar, 70, is serving a second five-year jail term for sodomy, which is a crime in Malaysia.

He and his supporters have said the charges are politically motivated.

A royal pardon would reverse Anwar's conviction and make him eligible to actively participate in politics.

Several people in his People's Justice Party (PKR) expect Anwar to walk free on Wednesday itself from the hospital where he been for the last few months recovering from a shoulder surgery.

But there was no official confirmation of any possible date of release.

PKR allied with Malaysia's 92-year-old leader Mahathir Mohamad to win a general election last week.

Mahathir, who has been sworn in as prime minister for a second inning, had promised during the campaign to secure a pardon for Anwar and then step down and give him the prime minister's post.

"All documentation for the pardon petition is in order and complete," PKR member Sivarasa Rasiah said in a statement late on Monday. "The prime minister has given his assurance that the meeting of the pardons board will proceed as scheduled now at 11 am (0300 GMT) on Wednesday."

Mahathir vowed on Monday to investigate any faults that may have been committed by the government of ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak and said all ministries had been instructed not to destroy any documents.

He announced that he would appoint a new anti-corruption commission chief and replace the attorney-general who had cleared Najib of wrongdoing in a multi-billion-dollar scandal linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state fund.

The government has also transferred the top bureaucrat in the finance ministry with immediate effect while the chairman of the state palm oil plantation agency, Felda, has resigned.

News broke in 2015 that about $700 million allegedly stolen from 1MDB had made its way into Najib's personal bank accounts.

Najib has said the deposit was a donation by an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family which had been largely returned.

Najib set up 1MDB in 2009 and previously served as chairman of its advisory board. He and the fund have denied wrongdoing.

Mahathir blocked Najib from leaving the country last weekend.

A royal pardon would reverse Anwar's conviction and make him eligible to actively participate in politics

The pardons board in Malaysia's capital will meet on Wednesday to discuss the release of jailed reformist leader Anwar Ibrahim, the palace and his party have said. Anwar, 70, is serving a second five-year jail term for sodomy, which is a crime in Malaysia. He and his supporters have said the charges are politically motivated. A royal pardon would reverse Anwar's conviction and make him eligible to actively participate in politics. Several people in his People's Justice Party (PKR) expect Anwar to walk free on Wednesday itself from the hospital where he been for the last few months recovering from a shoulder surgery. But there was no official confirmation of any possible date of release. PKR allied with Malaysia's 92-year-old leader Mahathir Mohamad to win a general election last week. Mahathir, who has been sworn in as prime minister for a second inning, had promised during the campaign to secure a pardon for Anwar and then step down and give him the prime minister's post. "All documentation for the pardon petition is in order and complete," PKR member Sivarasa Rasiah said in a statement late on Monday. "The prime minister has given his assurance that the meeting of the pardons board will proceed as scheduled now at 11 am (0300 GMT) on Wednesday." Mahathir vowed on Monday to investigate any faults that may have been committed by the government of ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak and said all ministries had been instructed not to destroy any documents. He announced that he would appoint a new anti-corruption commission chief and replace the attorney-general who had cleared Najib of wrongdoing in a multi-billion-dollar scandal linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state fund. The government has also transferred the top bureaucrat in the finance ministry with immediate effect while the chairman of the state palm oil plantation agency, Felda, has resigned. News broke in 2015 that about $700 million allegedly stolen from 1MDB had made its way into Najib's personal bank accounts. Najib has said the deposit was a donation by an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family which had been largely returned. Najib set up 1MDB in 2009 and previously served as chairman of its advisory board. He and the fund have denied wrongdoing. Mahathir blocked Najib from leaving the country last weekend.

Malaysia's pardons board to discuss Anwar's release on Wednesday

Malaysia's new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Sunday that an anti-fake news law brought by the previous administration will be given "proper" definition, making it clear to the media and the public what is fake.

"Even though we support freedom of press and freedom of speech, there are limits," Mahathir said in a live telecast on state TV.

Abolishing the anti-fake news law was one of the Mahathir's campaign promises, but his latest comments point to a re-defining of the controversial law, rather than removing it altogether.

"The fake news law will be given a new definition so that the public and media outlets will know what is fake news and what is not fake," Mahathir said.

Former prime minister Najib Razak's government approved the Anti-Fake News 2018 bill last month, which set out fines of up to 500,000 ringgit ($126,646.40) and a maximum six years in jail for violators.

Mahathir was himself accused of fake news, after authorities said they were investigating him for false claims that his plane was sabotaged ahead of the May 9 election.

Mahathir has been prime minister previously, for 22 years starting in 1981.

He used security laws to put his political opponents behind bars and his critics say he restricted free speech and persecuted political opponents.

The current law defines fake news as "news, information, data and reports which is or are wholly or partly false" and includes features, visuals and audio recordings.

It covers digital publications and social media and will apply to offenders who maliciously spread "fake news" inside and outside Malaysia, including foreigners, if Malaysia or a Malaysian citizen were affected.

Other countries in Southeast Asia, including Singapore and the Philippines, are considering how to tackle "fake news" but human rights activists fear that such laws could be used to stifle free speech.

Malaysia is among the first few countries to introduce a law against it.

Germany approved a plan last year to fine social media networks if they fail to remove hateful postings.

Malaysia already has an arsenal of laws, including a colonial-era Sedition Act, that have been used to clamp down on the unfavourable news and social media posts.

"The fake news law will be given a new definition so that the public and media outlets will know what is fake news and what is not fake," Mahathir said

Malaysia's new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Sunday that an anti-fake news law brought by the previous administration will be given "proper" definition, making it clear to the media and the public what is fake. "Even though we support freedom of press and freedom of speech, there are limits," Mahathir said in a live telecast on state TV. Abolishing the anti-fake news law was one of the Mahathir's campaign promises, but his latest comments point to a re-defining of the controversial law, rather than removing it altogether. "The fake news law will be given a new definition so that the public and media outlets will know what is fake news and what is not fake," Mahathir said. Former prime minister Najib Razak's government approved the Anti-Fake News 2018 bill last month, which set out fines of up to 500,000 ringgit ($126,646.40) and a maximum six years in jail for violators. Mahathir was himself accused of fake news, after authorities said they were investigating him for false claims that his plane was sabotaged ahead of the May 9 election. Mahathir has been prime minister previously, for 22 years starting in 1981. He used security laws to put his political opponents behind bars and his critics say he restricted free speech and persecuted political opponents. The current law defines fake news as "news, information, data and reports which is or are wholly or partly false" and includes features, visuals and audio recordings. It covers digital publications and social media and will apply to offenders who maliciously spread "fake news" inside and outside Malaysia, including foreigners, if Malaysia or a Malaysian citizen were affected. Other countries in Southeast Asia, including Singapore and the Philippines, are considering how to tackle "fake news" but human rights activists fear that such laws could be used to stifle free speech. Malaysia is among the first few countries to introduce a law against it. Germany approved a plan last year to fine social media networks if they fail to remove hateful postings. Malaysia already has an arsenal of laws, including a colonial-era Sedition Act, that have been used to clamp down on the unfavourable news and social media posts.

Re-define fake news law, not abolish it: Malaysia's new PM

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will announce the dissolution of parliament at 0330 GMT on Friday, paving the way for a general election, local media reported.

Najib will make the announcement via state broadcaster RTM, state-linked Berita Harian reported, without citing the source of information. The Star newspaper also reported the same.

Najib arrived at his office earlier on Friday to chair a meeting of cabinet ministers, state news agency Bernama reported.

Najib's five-year term officially ends on June 24, but the prime minister can dissolve parliament anytime before the end of his term with the king's assent and call an election.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will announce the dissolution of parliament at 0330 GMT on Friday, paving the way for a general election, local media reported

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will announce the dissolution of parliament at 0330 GMT on Friday, paving the way for a general election, local media reported. Najib will make the announcement via state broadcaster RTM, state-linked Berita Harian reported, without citing the source of information. The Star newspaper also reported the same. Najib arrived at his office earlier on Friday to chair a meeting of cabinet ministers, state news agency Bernama reported. Najib's five-year term officially ends on June 24, but the prime minister can dissolve parliament anytime before the end of his term with the king's assent and call an election.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib to announce dissolution of parliament: Report

Prime Minister Najib Razak promised&nbspon Wednesday&nbsp1.46 billion ringgit ($378.04 million) in salary hikes to Malaysia's civil servants, a key vote bank for the ruling coalition in a looming general election.

Malaysia's 1.6 million civil servants, most of them ethnic Malays, have traditionally been supporters of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. However, the rising cost of living has been a concern for many, with some ruling party officials warning that they could turn against the party if the issue is not addressed.

Scandal-plagued Najib needs to consolidate support for his coalition to stave off an unprecedented challenge from his former mentor turned opposition leader, Mahathir Mohamad.

"The government has agreed to increase the salaries amounting to one service year for all 1.6 million civil servants ... with an additional 1.46 billion ringgit from&nbspJuly 1," Najib told a gathering of civil servants in the administrative capital, Putrajaya.

Najib promised a one-time cash payment of 1,500 ringgit in October for civil servants and 750 ringgit for government retirees as part of the government's 2018 budget.

Civil servants saw a salary hike between 7 and 13 per cent in 2012 ahead of elections the following year.

Najib faces a tough contest in the upcoming polls - which could be called in days - amid a multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB. Najib and the fund have denied any wrongdoing.

Parliament approved a plan last week to redraw electoral boundaries, a move that the opposition and critics say will help Najib's coalition retain power.

Najib needs to consolidate support for his coalition to stave off an unprecedented challenge from his former mentor turned opposition leader, Mahathir Mohamad

Prime Minister Najib Razak promised&nbspon Wednesday&nbsp1.46 billion ringgit ($378.04 million) in salary hikes to Malaysia's civil servants, a key vote bank for the ruling coalition in a looming general election. Malaysia's 1.6 million civil servants, most of them ethnic Malays, have traditionally been supporters of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. However, the rising cost of living has been a concern for many, with some ruling party officials warning that they could turn against the party if the issue is not addressed. Scandal-plagued Najib needs to consolidate support for his coalition to stave off an unprecedented challenge from his former mentor turned opposition leader, Mahathir Mohamad. "The government has agreed to increase the salaries amounting to one service year for all 1.6 million civil servants ... with an additional 1.46 billion ringgit from&nbspJuly 1," Najib told a gathering of civil servants in the administrative capital, Putrajaya. Najib promised a one-time cash payment of 1,500 ringgit in October for civil servants and 750 ringgit for government retirees as part of the government's 2018 budget. Civil servants saw a salary hike between 7 and 13 per cent in 2012 ahead of elections the following year. Najib faces a tough contest in the upcoming polls - which could be called in days - amid a multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB. Najib and the fund have denied any wrongdoing. Parliament approved a plan last week to redraw electoral boundaries, a move that the opposition and critics say will help Najib's coalition retain power.

Malaysian PM Najib promises $378 million raise for civil servants ahead of polls

Malaysia's government Monday pushed a law through parliament that makes "fake news" punishable by a maximum six-year jail term despite an outcry from critics worried it will be used to stifle dissent before elections.

The law targets foreign as well as local media and is seen in part as an effort to silence criticism of the scandal surrounding sovereign wealth fund 1MDB that has rocked the administration of Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The election is expected within weeks and Najib is battling to win a third term at the head of the coalition that has led Malaysia for over six decades.

The current parliament is dominated by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

The law originally proposed a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of 500,000 ringgit ($130,000) for publishing what authorities deem to be fake news, but the government lowered the jail term to six years following a storm of criticism.

"This law is not intended to restrict the freedom of speech but to restrict the dissemination of fake news," said Minister Azalina Othman Said.

But opposition legislators were not convinced, criticising the law's heavy penalties and its potential to limit free speech.

"This bill... is a weapon to close the truth so that what is false can be upheld as true, and what is true can be reversed as false," said Lim Guan Eng of the Democratic Action Party.

"This is something very dangerous for our country."

The law must still be debated in the Senate but is expected to be passed. More than half of the Senate is filled with Barisan Nasional members.

After this, it needs royal assent before taking effect.

The new law has sparked widespread anger among activists, press freedom groups and the opposition, who believe it is aimed at cracking down on dissenting voices rather than safeguarding the public from false information.

Before it was passed, Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, condemned it as a &nbsp"blatant attempt by the government to prevent any and all news that it doesn't like, whether about corruption or elections".

He said it "uses draconian penalties and broad language in an audacious and unprecedented effort to control discussion of Malaysia worldwide".

The law covers any information that is deemed to be "wholly or partly fake".&nbsp

It includes several examples, such as a blogger publishing a report known to be false someone sharing information on social media they know to be false and someone giving a speech containing information they know to be untrue.

Malaysia is one of several countries in Asia turning to such legislation, emboldened by US President Donald Trump's fulminations against "fake news", but activists warn authoritarian regimes will use the laws to target opponents.

A parliamentary committee in neighbouring Singapore, which is examining possible legislation to combat "fake news", came under fire Monday from activists who alleged it misrepresented them.&nbsp

Institute of Journalists Malaysia board member Ram Anand said the law, like existing legislation, would hang over journalists in the country and do "very little" to improve press freedom.

"We should be removing criminal laws that affect the media, not add more of them," he said.

Malaysia ranks 144th out of 180 countries in the 2017 World Press Freedom Index, with number one being the freest.

The law comes less than a week after parliament voted in favour of a move to redraw electoral borders. Opposition politicians said this would tilt the election in Najib's favour.

Najib is fighting to keep his coalition - which has never lost a national poll - in power while battling allegations that billions of dollars were looted from 1MDB, a sovereign wealth fund he founded.

Both Najib and the fund deny any wrongdoing.

He faces a tough challenge from an opposition led by his former boss and ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad, 92, who is looking to unseat him at the polls.

Malaysia's government Monday pushed a law through parliament that makes "fake news" punishable by a maximum six-year jail term

Malaysia's government Monday pushed a law through parliament that makes "fake news" punishable by a maximum six-year jail term despite an outcry from critics worried it will be used to stifle dissent before elections. The law targets foreign as well as local media and is seen in part as an effort to silence criticism of the scandal surrounding sovereign wealth fund 1MDB that has rocked the administration of Prime Minister Najib Razak. The election is expected within weeks and Najib is battling to win a third term at the head of the coalition that has led Malaysia for over six decades. The current parliament is dominated by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. The law originally proposed a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of 500,000 ringgit ($130,000) for publishing what authorities deem to be fake news, but the government lowered the jail term to six years following a storm of criticism. "This law is not intended to restrict the freedom of speech but to restrict the dissemination of fake news," said Minister Azalina Othman Said. But opposition legislators were not convinced, criticising the law's heavy penalties and its potential to limit free speech. "This bill... is a weapon to close the truth so that what is false can be upheld as true, and what is true can be reversed as false," said Lim Guan Eng of the Democratic Action Party. "This is something very dangerous for our country." The law must still be debated in the Senate but is expected to be passed. More than half of the Senate is filled with Barisan Nasional members. After this, it needs royal assent before taking effect. The new law has sparked widespread anger among activists, press freedom groups and the opposition, who believe it is aimed at cracking down on dissenting voices rather than safeguarding the public from false information. Before it was passed, Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, condemned it as a "blatant attempt by the government to prevent any and all news that it doesn't like, whether about corruption or elections". He said it "uses draconian penalties and broad language in an audacious and unprecedented effort to control discussion of Malaysia worldwide". The law covers any information that is deemed to be "wholly or partly fake". It includes several examples, such as a blogger publishing a report known to be false someone sharing information on social media they know to be false and someone giving a speech containing information they know to be untrue. Malaysia is one of several countries in Asia turning to such legislation, emboldened by US President Donald Trump's fulminations against "fake news", but activists warn authoritarian regimes will use the laws to target opponents. A parliamentary committee in neighbouring Singapore, which is examining possible legislation to combat "fake news", came under fire Monday from activists who alleged it misrepresented them. Institute of Journalists Malaysia board member Ram Anand said the law, like existing legislation, would hang over journalists in the country and do "very little" to improve press freedom. "We should be removing criminal laws that affect the media, not add more of them," he said. Malaysia ranks 144th out of 180 countries in the 2017 World Press Freedom Index, with number one being the freest. The law comes less than a week after parliament voted in favour of a move to redraw electoral borders. Opposition politicians said this would tilt the election in Najib's favour. Najib is fighting to keep his coalition - which has never lost a national poll - in power while battling allegations that billions of dollars were looted from 1MDB, a sovereign wealth fund he founded. Both Najib and the fund deny any wrongdoing. He faces a tough challenge from an opposition led by his former boss and ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad, 92, who is looking to unseat him at the polls.

Malaysia approves 'fake news' law despite outcry

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Friday, the 10th of November, that he was &quot;reasonably confident&quot; a deal on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could be reached without the United States.

Trade ministers from the TPP countries met on Thursday, November 9th, but their meetings ended without making headway. It was unclear whether leaders of TPP countries would meet on Friday.

The TPP aims to eliminate tariffs on industrial and farm products across a bloc whose trade totalled $356 billion last year. It also has provisions for protecting everything from labour rights to the environment to intellectual property - one of the main sticking points.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership has provisions for protecting everything from labour rights to the environment to intellectual property - one of the main sticking points

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Friday, the 10th of November, that he was "reasonably confident" a deal on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could be reached without the United States. Trade ministers from the TPP countries met on Thursday, November 9th, but their meetings ended without making headway. It was unclear whether leaders of TPP countries would meet on Friday. The TPP aims to eliminate tariffs on industrial and farm products across a bloc whose trade totalled $356 billion last year. It also has provisions for protecting everything from labour rights to the environment to intellectual property - one of the main sticking points.

TPP trade deal can be reached without US: Malaysia

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters marched in Malaysia&#39;s capital on Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over his alleged involvement in a multi-billion dollar misappropriation scandal.

Protesters clad in yellow shirts marched through the heart of Kuala Lumpur -- bringing traffic to a standstill in several tourist spots -- to gather in front of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers after an initial plan to assemble at Independence Square was thwarted by police.

Turnout was lower than a similar rally last year, with news portal Malaysiakini estimating around 40,000 participants. As many as 200,000 people showed up last year at one point. Turnout for this year&#39;s rally may have been hurt by fears of violence and arrests of leaders from the&nbsp;pro-democracy group, Bersih, that organised Saturday&#39;s rally. Several opposition leaders were also detained just a day before the demonstration, along with Bersih leaders.

Police had said the rally is illegal and that they would not hesitate to use tear gas or water cannon if things got out of hand. State news agency Bernama said about 7,000 policemen will be on duty near the protest areas.

Still, spirits were high among those that gathered, with drums and vuvuzelas heard along with speeches, songs and chants by participants calling for a clean Malaysia and people power.

Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad, Najib&#39;s fiercest critic, joined protesters in front of the Twin Towers. &quot;We are no longer a democracy, we are known as a kleptocracy. This is the time we work together to bring down this cruel government,&quot; said 91-year-old Mahathir.

Muhyiddin Yassin -- the former deputy premier who now leads a new party chaired by Mahathir -- was also present, leading the crowds in chants of &quot;Step down Najib!&quot;

The demonstration is unlikely to shake the prime minister, though, who has denied wrongdoing and weathered the crisis, consolidating power by cracking down on dissenters and curbing media groups and activists. &quot;We are not here to bring down the country. We love this country! We are not here to tear down the government, we&#39;re here to strengthen it,&quot; Bersih deputy chair Shahrul Aman Shaari told the crowds gathered at the National Mosque.

Another Bersih leader Hishamuddin Rais was arrested on Saturday at the protest area, with police also issuing warnings to other participants. &quot;Our country is being governed by clowns and crooks. So I&#39;m here to protest against our prime minister,&quot; said artist Fahmi Reza, holding a poster of a clown-faced Najib.

In a speech uploaded on his website on Friday, Najib said the protesters were &quot;a tool of the opposition&quot;.

&quot;Their movement is deceitful. It is clear that these street protests are in fact the opposition disguised as an independent NGO working to unseat a democratically elected government,&quot; said Najib, who is in Peru to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Azalina Othman Said, a minister in the Prime Minister&#39;s Department, on Saturday said it was unlawful for any party to try to unseat a democratically-elected government via street protests. Bersih rallies were also held in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in East Malaysia on Saturday.

&nbsp;

Corruption scandal

Najib has faced criticism since the Wall Street Journal reported last year that around $700 million from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was diverted into the personal bank account of the prime minister.

Najib ran into further trouble this year when lawsuits filed by the US&nbsp;Justice Department in July said over $3.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB, which was founded by Najib, and that some of those funds flowed into the accounts of &quot;Malaysian Official 1&quot;, whom US and Malaysian officials have identified as Najib.

Najib has taken steps critics say aim to limit discussion of the scandal, such as sacking a deputy prime minister, replacing the attorney-general and suspending newspapers and blocking websites.

Bersih chair Maria Chin Abdullah -- who was arrested on the eve of the rally -- has been detained under Malaysia&#39;s Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, or SOSMA as it is known, her lawyers said on Saturday.

SOSMA was introduced in 2012 to protect the country from security and extremist threats.

&quot;Sosma has now been used against Bersih when it should only be used against genuine security cases or terrorists,&quot; co-founder of Lawyers for Liberty Eric Paulsen said on Twitter. &quot;Her Sosma detention is clearly made in bad faith &amp; not intended by Parliament.&quot;

Najib retains significant support within UMNO and from the long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

&nbsp;

Tensions

Fears of clashes between Bersih and a pro-Najib group called Red Shirts mounted earlier this week after the latter threatened to target Bersih supporters, though no major clashes were reported on Saturday during simultaneous demonstrations.

The pro-Najib group also rallied on Saturday, and local media reported one Red Shirt was detained for attempting to attack Bersih participants.

A six-week campaign by Bersih ahead of this weekend was marred by several violent confrontations with the Red Shirts, and anonymous death threats were sent to Bersih chair Maria.

Jamal Yunos, an UMNO member and leader of the Red Shirts, was also arrested on Friday before the protests began. He had warned of a repeat of racial riots in 1969 that killed hundreds in clashes between Malays and ethnic Chinese. Ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities formed the bulk of the Bersih rally, similar to last year. 
 
(Reuters)

Last year it was reported that around $700 million from state fund 1MDB was diverted into the Prime Minister's personal bank account

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters marched in Malaysia's capital on Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over his alleged involvement in a multi-billion dollar misappropriation scandal. Protesters clad in yellow shirts marched through the heart of Kuala Lumpur -- bringing traffic to a standstill in several tourist spots -- to gather in front of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers after an initial plan to assemble at Independence Square was thwarted by police. Turnout was lower than a similar rally last year, with news portal Malaysiakini estimating around 40,000 participants. As many as 200,000 people showed up last year at one point. Turnout for this year's rally may have been hurt by fears of violence and arrests of leaders from the pro-democracy group, Bersih, that organised Saturday's rally. Several opposition leaders were also detained just a day before the demonstration, along with Bersih leaders. Police had said the rally is illegal and that they would not hesitate to use tear gas or water cannon if things got out of hand. State news agency Bernama said about 7,000 policemen will be on duty near the protest areas. Still, spirits were high among those that gathered, with drums and vuvuzelas heard along with speeches, songs and chants by participants calling for a clean Malaysia and people power. Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad, Najib's fiercest critic, joined protesters in front of the Twin Towers. "We are no longer a democracy, we are known as a kleptocracy. This is the time we work together to bring down this cruel government," said 91-year-old Mahathir. Muhyiddin Yassin -- the former deputy premier who now leads a new party chaired by Mahathir -- was also present, leading the crowds in chants of "Step down Najib!" The demonstration is unlikely to shake the prime minister, though, who has denied wrongdoing and weathered the crisis, consolidating power by cracking down on dissenters and curbing media groups and activists. "We are not here to bring down the country. We love this country! We are not here to tear down the government, we're here to strengthen it," Bersih deputy chair Shahrul Aman Shaari told the crowds gathered at the National Mosque. Another Bersih leader Hishamuddin Rais was arrested on Saturday at the protest area, with police also issuing warnings to other participants. "Our country is being governed by clowns and crooks. So I'm here to protest against our prime minister," said artist Fahmi Reza, holding a poster of a clown-faced Najib. In a speech uploaded on his website on Friday, Najib said the protesters were "a tool of the opposition". "Their movement is deceitful. It is clear that these street protests are in fact the opposition disguised as an independent NGO working to unseat a democratically elected government," said Najib, who is in Peru to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Azalina Othman Said, a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, on Saturday said it was unlawful for any party to try to unseat a democratically-elected government via street protests. Bersih rallies were also held in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in East Malaysia on Saturday. Corruption scandal Najib has faced criticism since the Wall Street Journal reported last year that around $700 million from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was diverted into the personal bank account of the prime minister. Najib ran into further trouble this year when lawsuits filed by the US Justice Department in July said over $3.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB, which was founded by Najib, and that some of those funds flowed into the accounts of "Malaysian Official 1", whom US and Malaysian officials have identified as Najib. Najib has taken steps critics say aim to limit discussion of the scandal, such as sacking a deputy prime minister, replacing the attorney-general and suspending newspapers and blocking websites. Bersih chair Maria Chin Abdullah -- who was arrested on the eve of the rally -- has been detained under Malaysia's Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, or SOSMA as it is known, her lawyers said on Saturday. SOSMA was introduced in 2012 to protect the country from security and extremist threats. "Sosma has now been used against Bersih when it should only be used against genuine security cases or terrorists," co-founder of Lawyers for Liberty Eric Paulsen said on Twitter. "Her Sosma detention is clearly made in bad faith & not intended by Parliament." Najib retains significant support within UMNO and from the long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. Tensions Fears of clashes between Bersih and a pro-Najib group called Red Shirts mounted earlier this week after the latter threatened to target Bersih supporters, though no major clashes were reported on Saturday during simultaneous demonstrations. The pro-Najib group also rallied on Saturday, and local media reported one Red Shirt was detained for attempting to attack Bersih participants. A six-week campaign by Bersih ahead of this weekend was marred by several violent confrontations with the Red Shirts, and anonymous death threats were sent to Bersih chair Maria. Jamal Yunos, an UMNO member and leader of the Red Shirts, was also arrested on Friday before the protests began. He had warned of a repeat of racial riots in 1969 that killed hundreds in clashes between Malays and ethnic Chinese. Ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities formed the bulk of the Bersih rally, similar to last year. (Reuters)

Malaysia: Thousands protest demanding PM Najib's resignation over corruption scandal

The editor of Malaysia&#39;s leading independent website was charged with violating a communications law on Friday over airing of a news video that accused Prime Minister Najib Razak of corruption.&nbsp;

Malaysiakini&#39;s editor-in-chief Steven Gan was charged in a special court for internet offences for airing the video on its site KiniTV in July, that featured a news conference in which a former ruling-party member criticised attorney general Mohamed Apandi Ali.&nbsp;

Gan was charged under a law prohibiting transmission of &quot;obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive&quot; content. The conviction was could bring a year in jail. The website&#39;s chief executive, Premesh Chandran too faces similar charges.&nbsp;

The move was swiftly condemned by Human Rights Watch as a &quot;serious violation of freedom of the press&quot;. The opposition also accused Najib of ratcheting up pressure on critics and the media to silence the furore over the financial scandal.

The attorney general had caused an uproar in January by abruptly clearing the PM of wrongdoing in receiving $681 million in mysterious deposits into his personal bank account. The government claims it was a &quot;personal gift&quot; from the Saudi royal family that Najib returned.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

Activists said the PM, who is accused of receiving mysterious deposits, is trying to silence the media over the financial scandal

The editor of Malaysia's leading independent website was charged with violating a communications law on Friday over airing of a news video that accused Prime Minister Najib Razak of corruption. Malaysiakini's editor-in-chief Steven Gan was charged in a special court for internet offences for airing the video on its site KiniTV in July, that featured a news conference in which a former ruling-party member criticised attorney general Mohamed Apandi Ali. Gan was charged under a law prohibiting transmission of "obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive" content. The conviction was could bring a year in jail. The website's chief executive, Premesh Chandran too faces similar charges. The move was swiftly condemned by Human Rights Watch as a "serious violation of freedom of the press". The opposition also accused Najib of ratcheting up pressure on critics and the media to silence the furore over the financial scandal. The attorney general had caused an uproar in January by abruptly clearing the PM of wrongdoing in receiving $681 million in mysterious deposits into his personal bank account. The government claims it was a "personal gift" from the Saudi royal family that Najib returned. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Press freedom in Malaysia: Website editor charged for airing content accusing PM of corruption

In a new development linked to the 1MDB corruption scandal, a former Hong Kong-based investment fund is suing Goldman Sachs for conflict of interest in advising a 2011 Malaysian bank merger. 
 
Primus Pacific Partners said Tuesday that Goldman and its then managing director in Southeast Asia, Tim Leissner, concealed its close relationship with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak when the bank was recruited to advise EON Capital, partly owned by Primus, in its $1.7 billion sale to Malaysia&#39;s Hong Leong Bank (HLB). 
 
Najib &quot;had close family and business ties with HLB&quot; giving him an interest in the success of HLB&#39;s takeover of EON, Primus charged in a statement. 
 
At the same time that Goldman was advising EON on the merger, though, the New York investment bank was also the key advisor to 1MDB, the government investment fund established and chaired by Najib. 
 
Goldman used its role advising EON to &quot;secretly curry favor with the Prime Minister by using the (EON) board&#39;s confidential information&quot; to help Hong Leong&#39;s bid for EON, it said. 
 
Goldman allegedly convinced EON&#39;s board that Hong Leong&#39;s bid was fair, &quot;even though Goldman Sachs knew that the bid in fact was well below the fair intrinsic value of the company.&quot; 
 
Primus, which held 20 percent of EON at the time, asked a New York court to award it $510 million for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty by Goldman Sachs. 
 
That includes $170 million for what Primus said Goldman&#39;s alleged misconduct cost it in the deal, and another $340 million in punitive damages. 
 
The lawsuit came after a move by US authorities to seize $1 billion in properties bought with money allegedly siphoned off from 1MDB, which placed a spotlight on Goldman Sachs&#39; role in the burgeoning scandal. 
 
With Leissner its main contact with the Malaysian authorities, Goldman had raised billions of dollars for 1MDB. 
 
One month after he left Goldman, in March Leissner was subpoenaed by the US Justice Department in its investigation into the scandal. 
 
Goldman said it would fight the lawsuit, noting that Primus had lost a 2011 legal challenge to the merger in Malaysian courts. 
 
&quot;This plaintiff previously lost its challenge in the Malaysian courts seeking to stop a transaction involving a Malaysian company, which was then approved by shareholders. We will vigorously contest this misguided additional lawsuit in New York court,&quot; it said in a statement. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Goldman said it would fight the lawsuit in New York court, noting that Primus Pacific Partners had lost a 2011 legal challenge to the merger

In a new development linked to the 1MDB corruption scandal, a former Hong Kong-based investment fund is suing Goldman Sachs for conflict of interest in advising a 2011 Malaysian bank merger. Primus Pacific Partners said Tuesday that Goldman and its then managing director in Southeast Asia, Tim Leissner, concealed its close relationship with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak when the bank was recruited to advise EON Capital, partly owned by Primus, in its $1.7 billion sale to Malaysia's Hong Leong Bank (HLB). Najib "had close family and business ties with HLB" giving him an interest in the success of HLB's takeover of EON, Primus charged in a statement. At the same time that Goldman was advising EON on the merger, though, the New York investment bank was also the key advisor to 1MDB, the government investment fund established and chaired by Najib. Goldman used its role advising EON to "secretly curry favor with the Prime Minister by using the (EON) board's confidential information" to help Hong Leong's bid for EON, it said. Goldman allegedly convinced EON's board that Hong Leong's bid was fair, "even though Goldman Sachs knew that the bid in fact was well below the fair intrinsic value of the company." Primus, which held 20 percent of EON at the time, asked a New York court to award it $510 million for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty by Goldman Sachs. That includes $170 million for what Primus said Goldman's alleged misconduct cost it in the deal, and another $340 million in punitive damages. The lawsuit came after a move by US authorities to seize $1 billion in properties bought with money allegedly siphoned off from 1MDB, which placed a spotlight on Goldman Sachs' role in the burgeoning scandal. With Leissner its main contact with the Malaysian authorities, Goldman had raised billions of dollars for 1MDB. One month after he left Goldman, in March Leissner was subpoenaed by the US Justice Department in its investigation into the scandal. Goldman said it would fight the lawsuit, noting that Primus had lost a 2011 legal challenge to the merger in Malaysian courts. "This plaintiff previously lost its challenge in the Malaysian courts seeking to stop a transaction involving a Malaysian company, which was then approved by shareholders. We will vigorously contest this misguided additional lawsuit in New York court," it said in a statement. (AFP)

Goldman Sachs sued over 1MDB links in Malaysian bank merger

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