Former prime minister Najib Razak, who was convicted of corruption and money laundering linked to Malaysia’s investment funds, began his appeal at the Putrajaya court today.
Najib, 67, arrived at the Palace of Justice this morning with his defense lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, 10 months after he was sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined US$50 million after he was found guilty of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power, and money laundering.
He had illegally received US$10 million from the SRC International company, which used to be a subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB. His sentences were stayed pending the appeal.
Najib’s lawyer is expected to continue portraying his client as someone who had been tricked by financier Jho Low into thinking that the money he received was donated by Saudi Arabia’s royal family. High court judge Mohd Nazlan said last year that the theory was “far-fetched.”
The appeal is being heard by three judges, including Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, Has Zanah Mehat and Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera, and is so far expected to take place over 12 days, or until Apr. 22.
Yesterday, Najib’s daughter Nooryana Najib urged her 52,000 Instagram followers to pray for her dad: “Pray for bossku (our boss). May he get the fairness and justice that he deserves.”
Other stories to check out:
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‘This is not the end’: Najib Razak’s daughter on her dad’s verdict, jail sentencing
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