1MDB: Najib Razak’s in court, accused of contempt … and on the comeback trail?

Malaysia’s ex-leader, on trial for corruption, is in hot water for suggesting the country’s change in leadership means he can now get a fair trial

His return to court comes amid a backlash over a settlement deal between prosecutors and Najib’s stepson Riza Aziz

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Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak arrives at Kuala Lumpur’s High Court for the resumption of his trial linked to the 1MDB scandal. Photo: AP

Published: 9:59pm, 19 May 2020Updated: 4:46am, 20 May 2020

Malaysia’s ex-leader Najib Razak on Tuesday returned to court for his corruption trials for the first time since they were adjourned due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as prosecutors considered citing him for contempt after he suggested a change in the country’s leadership meant he was more likely to get a fair trial.

The trial that resumed was the biggest of three criminal cases Najib faces over his alleged involvement in the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state fund during his 2009-2018 tenure as prime minister.

The resumption of the trials puts the limelight back on the high-profile scandal, after weeks of focus on the collapse in March of the ruling alliance that ousted Najib.

The 66-year-old’s return to the Kuala Lumpur High Court came as the new government led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin faced a backlash over a settlement deal prosecutors struck with Najib’s stepson Riza Aziz in a separate case also linked to the 1MDB scandal.

Najib Razak’s stepson Riza Aziz. Photo: AP

In an unexpected twist, however, the prosecution said Riza was willing to testify as a prosecution witness in the trial known as the “1MDB-Tanore trial” as it involves illegal fund transactions facilitated by Tanore Finance Corp, a vehicle viewed as central to the theft.

Najib’s three trials – disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic – are now expected to stretch into 2021, and with arch-rival Mahathir Mohamad deposed by Muhyiddin, political observers say they expect Najib to increase efforts for a political comeback.

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