Najib in court: what to expect from Malaysia’s biggest trial

Malaysia’s disgraced former prime minister Najib Razak has been released on bail after being charged with offences linked to the 1MDB scandal. Here’s our guide to what happens next

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Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak arrives at the Duta court complex in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:26pm, 4 Jul 2018Updated: 8:40pm, 5 Jul 2018

There will be an eight-month wait at the very least before Malaysia’s disgraced former prime minister Najib Razak stands trial on charges of criminal breach of trust and corruption linked to the 1MDB state fund he helped set up.

Malaysians on Wednesday were gripped by images from the Kuala Lumpur High Court as the 64-year-old leader became the country’s first national leader to face charges in court.

Najib, dressed in a crisply cut suit and sporting his trademark pocket square, appeared relaxed as he was brought into the court complex after spending a night in a holding cell following his arrest.

WATCH: Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak arrested on corruption charges

He pleaded not guilty to three charges of criminal breach of trust and one count of abusing his power in relation to SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB. Each charge carries a maximum 20-year jail sentence.

Malaysia’s Najib Razak faces ‘20 years in jail’ as court date arrives

He was released on Wednesday afternoon after his son and daughter posted half of the bail of 1 million ringgit (US$247,000). His trial is scheduled to begin next February.

Prosecutors in the US, one of several jurisdictions investigating wrongdoing at 1MDB, say US$4.5 billion was looted from the fund, with attorney general Jeff Sessions referring to the case as “kleptocracy at its worst”.

Najib’s nemesis: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Photo: Kyodo

Mahathir Mohamad, Najib’s 92-year-old mentor-turned-rival who staged a stunning victory against his protégé in the May 9 general election, believes there is proof the former leader misappropriated funds from 1MDB. Najib has claimed Mahathir is exacting “political revenge” against him.