Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad yesterday shot a snide comment at his bosom enemy Najib Razak over the postponement of his corruption trial while “the convict” continues to attend parliament with other lawmakers.
“It is strange that Najib’s court sessions have been postponed due to COVID-19, but the convict here can attend parliamentary sessions,” the 95-year-old Langkawi representative said.
“If Najib can attend parliamentary sittings, he can surely be present for his corruption trial in court,” he added.
Najib, who is at the center of the 1MDB sovereign fund scandal in Malaysia, in July was found guilty of charges involving the transfer of RM42 million (US$10 million) into his personal bank account, sentenced to 12 years in jail, and fined RM210 million (US$51 million).
The disgraced prime minister’s trial has been postponed over two months, from Oct. 6 to Dec. 14 due to COVID-19 restrictions. Najib, who represents Pekan in Johor, has been a frequent face in the House of Parliament and was even appointed as the backbenchers’ chairman of his party, The National Front, or BN.
Mahathir suggested the Kuala Lumpur High Court should reduce the number of observers in order for Najib’s 1MDB trial to resume.
“Reduce the number of observers and media personnel in the courtroom. If we wait for COVID-19 to end, it may take years, and then the convict may be set free.”
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