KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian ex-leader Najib Razak’s first trial linked to the 1MDB scandal will proceed after a judge ruled on Monday prosecutors had made a sufficient case, boosting efforts to bring him to justice over the mammoth fraud. But his lead lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, said that Najib was “shocked” by the court’s decision, adding the ex-PM had been confident of being cleared. Worldwide spending spreeNajib is facing four charges of corruption and three money-laundering counts in the trial. The amounts involved in Najib’s first trial are small, however, compared to those in his second and most significant one, which centers on allegations he illicitly obtained over $500 million from 1MDB. US authorities, who are investigating the fund as money was allegedly laundered through the American financial system, believe $4.5 billion was looted from 1MDB.

Source: Manila Times November 11, 2019 10:04 UTC