Malaysia’s Ex-PM Najib Prepares for Graft Trial with Charm Offensive

By Rozanna Latiff

KUALA LUMPUR – Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has faced serious legal troubles, has recently been engaging in activities resembling an election campaign as he seeks to reshape his public image before his corruption trial commences on Tuesday.

Najib has pleaded not guilty to charges including criminal breach of trust, abuse of power, and money laundering, which are associated with the alleged multibillion-dollar fraud involving the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

His trial kicks off nine months after Malaysians voted him out of office, largely due to widespread disapproval stemming from allegations that approximately $4.5 billion was misappropriated from 1MDB, with a significant portion purportedly landing in his personal accounts. Following the May 2018 election, authorities uncovered nearly $300 million in assets and cash linked to Najib.

As the trial date approaches, Najib, maintaining his stance of innocence, is attempting to revamp his public persona, portraying himself as a victim of a government he accuses of targeting him unfairly, led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The 65-year-old, who is the son of Malaysia’s second prime minister, is also striving to connect with the working-class populace, particularly among the ethnic Malay majority.

In a recent viral video, Najib performed a Malay rendition of the classic hit ‘Kiss and Say Goodbye,’ accompanied by a group of somber young singers, while also criticizing Mahathir’s administration for not fulfilling its electoral promises. During the video’s introduction, an emotional Najib reflected on his ousting, lamenting what he termed his "saddest day."

Additionally, he has been actively engaging on social media, sparking a mix of reactions from users, some dubbing him the "King of Trolls" for his pointed comments directed at ruling party figures. This month, Najib also visited Langkawi, Mahathir’s constituency, where he interacted with locals, savored street food, and took selfies with passersby.

Mahathir responded to Najib’s newfound popularity, suggesting that Najib’s success on social media is due to his knack for storytelling.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has been fortifying its team for the prosecution of Najib, his wife, and other former officials implicated in corruption, all of whom have pleaded not guilty. The prosecution is enlisting experienced criminal lawyers, including a former federal court judge and a lawyer specializing in white-collar crime, and has recalled additional prosecutors from other offices.

On the defense side, Najib has assembled a team of eight lawyers led by Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who is familiar with high-profile cases in the country. Najib faces a daunting array of charges, totaling 39 related to the 1MDB scandal and other state-related entities.

The trial will address seven charges involving transfers amounting to 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) into Najib’s personal accounts from SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB. Prosecutors have provided the defense with nearly 3,000 pages of documents, which include statements from 26 witnesses, some of whom are believed to be former officials of SRC.

Najib has not been called to testify in his own defense, but his lawyer has expressed confidence that if they receive a fair trial, the truth will ultimately be revealed to the public.