Malaysian court orders Najib to enter defense in his 2nd graft trial linked to 1MDB scandal

(30 Oct 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kuala Lumpur - 30 October 2024
1. Arrival of Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak surrounded by guards
2. Wide of courtroom corridor
3. His supporters at the corridor
4. Najib again arriving after break from court proceedings, with guards
5. Mid of Najib's wife Rosmah Mansoor arriving
6. Najib's lawyer Mohamed Shafee Abdullah arriving at press area
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Mohamed Shafee Abdullah, Najib Razak’s Lawyer:
“We feel extremely disappointed, my client feels extremely disappointed because we have put up arguments that we thought would at the minimum, require serious consideration.”
9. Shafee Abdullah at press conference
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Mohamed Shafee Abdullah, Najib Razak’s Lawyer:
“We are not giving up, we are going to fight this case, and we are more determined because of the decision today.”
10. Shafee Abdullah leaving
11. Various exteriors of Kuala Lumpur High Court and flags
12. Various of people walking
STORYLINE:
Malaysia's High Court has ordered imprisoned former Prime Minister Najib Razak to enter his defense in his second corruption trial over the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund.

Najib set up the 1Malaysia Development Berhad state fund shortly after taking power in 2009 to promote economic development, but the fund amassed billions in debt. Investigators allege more than $4.5 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered by his associates to finance Hollywood films and extravagant purchases.

The prosecution's case against Najib is set on 21 counts of money laundering and four charges of abuse of power to obtain over $700 million from the fund.

The judge said Wednesday that evidence has shown Najib had a pivotal role in transactions that eventually plunged the fund into debt.

Najib is set to make his defense in December.

On October 24, Najib issued a rare apology for the scandal “under his watch” but reiterated his innocence.

AP video shot by Syawalluidin Zain

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