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Associated Press

Malaysian lawmakers took their oath in parliament on Monday, including former premier Najib Razak, who has been charged in the massive corruption scandal that led to his coalition’s electoral defeat.
The swearing-in ceremony of 221 lawmakers opened the first parliament session after Najib’s long-ruling coalition was ousted in May 9 elections, ushering in Malaysia’s first change of power since independence from Britain in 1957.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, the world’s oldest elected leader at 93, made his return to Parliament for the first time in 15 years after ending his retirement to challenge Najib over the corruption scandal.
Najib won his parliamentary seat despite his coalition’s defeat.
In Mahathir’s Malaysia, no gay rights and no free speech
A lawmaker is only disqualified if convicted and sentenced to more than a year in jail or fined over 2,000 ringgit (US$494).
“I accept it because I want to serve the people. I want to be a constructive opposition member and play a role to ensure that democracy in our country is meaningful and healthy,” Najib told reporters, when asked how he felt sitting on the opposition bench.

Najib, 64, pleaded not guilty earlier this month to charges of criminal breach of trust and abuse of power, making him one of few Southeast Asian leaders to be prosecuted after losing office.
His court case is linked to the 1MDB state investment fund that he set up when he took power in 2009 but which accumulated billions in debts and prompted investigations in the US, Switzerland and several other countries.


Najib denies any wrongdoing and has accused the new government of pursuing a vendetta against him. Police have also seized jewellery and valuables valued at more than 1.1 billion ringgit (US$273 million) from properties linked to Najib.
US prosecutors allege that Najib’s associates looted and laundered at least US$4.5 billion from the fund.
Switzerland Attorney General Michael Lauber indicated last month that the fraud could involve as much as US$7 billion.
Earlier, Najib and dozens of opposition lawmakers briefly walked out over the appointment of the new lower house speaker, a retired judge.
Mahathir seeking missing US$4.5 billion 1MDB funds
Najib said the walkout was not a rejection of the new speaker but the government’s failure to give a 14-day advance notice to the house on his appointment.
Only one of the 222 lawmakers in Parliament was absent for the swearing-in, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is recovering from surgery.


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Mahathir Mohamad

Malaysia’s 93-year-old PM Mahathir Mohamad returns to parliament for first time in 15 years

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad among 221 lawmakers opened the first Parliament session after Najib’s long-ruling coalition was ousted in May 9 elect

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor wave to their supporters as they exit the High Court of Malaya, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, July 9, 2018. Najib was charged last Wednesday with criminal breach of trust and corruption, two months after a multibillion-dollar graft scandal at a state investment fund led to his stunning election defeat. (AP Photo/Yam G-Jun)

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, centre, walks to the parliament hall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: AP

In Mahathir’s Malaysia, no gay rights and no free speech

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad turned 93 on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's youth and sports minister, left, arrives at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is putting safeguards in place to prevent graft in Malaysia by requiring his cabinet declare their wealth and refuse gifts more valuable than perishable food and flowers. Photographer: Rahman Roslan/Bloomberg

FILE PHOTO: Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim speaks with the media as former Indonesian President B.J. Habibie (L) looks on during a visit to Habibie's home in Jakarta, Indonesia May 20, 2018. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo

Gay activists raise placards in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP

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Jho Low, accused by agencies in several countries in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad financial scandal. Photo: Sam Tsang

Malaysia PM Mahathir Mohamad wants cabinet to declare wealth and refuse gifts to prevent corruption

Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's prime minister. Photo: Bloomberg

Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal: a Razak family affair?

Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak, leaves a courtroom in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Reuters

epa06859970 Riza Aziz (C), stepson of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, arrives at the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission in Putrajaya, Malaysia, 03 July 2018. Riza, a movie producer and co-founder of a Los Angeles-based film production company, has been linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. EPA-EFE/AHMAD YUSNI

FILE - In this April 28, 2018, file photo, former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor gesture before leaving for an election nomination center in Pekan, Pahang state, Malaysia. After 60 years of uninterrupted National Front rule, many Malaysians are optimistic they are ushering in an era of reform that echoes the democratic transformation of giant neighbor Indonesia two decades earlier. The difference, they hope, is that it will continue to be accomplished without setting their multiethnic country in flames. A grouping of progressive Southeast Asian lawmakers has hailed Najib's defeat as a "bright spot amid dark times" of rising authoritarianism across the region. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)

Interview with Jho Low, CEO of Jynwel Capitial Limited, at his office in Central. 11MAR15

Najib Razak leaves the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex. Photo: Bloomberg

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad among 221 lawmakers opened the first Parliament session after Najib’s long-ruling coalition was ousted in May 9 elect


Malaysia

Malaysia’s 93-year-old PM Mahathir Mohamad returns to parliament for first time in 15 years

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad among 221 lawmakers opened the first Parliament session after Najib’s long-ruling coalition was ousted in May 9 elect

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad among 221 lawmakers opened the first Parliament session after Najib’s long-ruling coalition was ousted in May 9 elect