The trial concerns allegations of corruption and money laundering involving $681 million that appeared in Najib’s personal bank accounts.
The accusations relate to his role at 1MDB, a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund that’s the subject of world investigations.
Najib was ousted as prime minister within the 2018 elections. Malaysians protesting the 1MDB scandal and the high cost of living. It led to the country’s first change of presidency since independence and a crackdown on those involved within the troubled state fund.
Najib’s party returned to government following political unrest in February, raising concerns concerning the ongoing 1MDB trials and investigations.
The current prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin promised to proceed fighting corruption whilst his government faced backlash after agreeing to a settlement with Najib’s stepson in a separate case involving 1MDB funds.
