“IF YOU are listening to this message,” began the recording posted on the Facebook page of Najib Razak, the Malaysian prime minister unseated in elections in May, “it means action has been taken.” The action in question was Mr Najib’s arrest, on July 3rd. After a night in jail, he was charged with three counts of breach of trust and one of abuse of power, all tied to the disappearance of billions of dollars from 1MDB, a state development fund. Mr Najib pleaded not guilty and has been released on bail, although he is not permitted to leave the country. His trial will begin in February.
The arrest had been a long time coming. News of the scandal first emerged in 2015. But Mr Najib sacked the attorney-general and any other colleagues who wanted it properly investigated. He airily dismissed the $681m that had appeared in his personal accounts as a gift from an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family, since returned. Authorities in America, Switzerland, Singapore and elsewhere...Continue reading
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