Malaysian ex-PM fights to stay out of jail

‘For the first time as a former prime minister’ [of Malaysia] I’m facing jail time,” she said. “Many Malaysians did not believe this would happen.

Wales believes the majority of Malaysians want justice and are “aware that criminal acts have been committed” when it comes to Najib, who led the country from 2009 to 2018.

But she said the country remains polarized because he has disturbed his political base and considered himself a martyr who was denied a fair trial.

Najib, who fired his previous lawyer just three weeks ago, said his offer to withdraw was blocked by the court and that his new lead lawyer did not have enough time to prepare and was left without valid representation. ing.

“In a case of such high profile, it is completely unprecedented for a criminal case to be left without defense counsel,” he said.

“This is a very serious issue, and I hope the court will take it into consideration and take corrective action at some point.”

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But the judge showed no signs of being baffled, and Najib was forced to review the allegations against him again on Friday.

Dressed in a charcoal suit and red-and-blue striped tie, the former leader folded his arms and stared straight ahead, restating his country’s case.

He failed to convict on seven charges in December 1MDB, the sovereign wealth fund he founded in 2009, was looted for $4.5 billion ($6.3). billion), according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

With the hearings scheduled until next Friday and elections due in October, timing is everything for Najib, who is still an MP.

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Professor James Chin, an expert on Malaysian politics at the University of Tasmania, said: “He’s fighting for his entire career, not just his political life.”

“If UMNO wins the election, he will try to do what he can to influence the verdict.”

But Putrajaya’s judges resisted his bid to delay his final appeal so much that he may not get that chance.

“People are very surprised that the judiciary is not cooperating with him,” Chin said. “Most people before this would have said that the judiciary would have dealt safely and granted him an extension. There is

“This will be a watershed moment…it will be the first time a former Malaysian prime minister has been jailed for corruption. ”

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