Najib Testifies to Defend Against 1MDB Corruption Charges

Malaysia’s former premier gives sworn statement in court
Najib faces total of 42 charges linked to troubled state fund

Najib Razak, center, offers prayers with his supporters at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 3.Photographer: Samsul Said/Bloomberg

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By Anisah Shukry and Hadi Azmi

December 2, 2019 at 10:00 PM UTC

Updated on

December 3, 2019 at 5:28 AM UTC

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Malaysia’s former leader Najib Razak started his testimony to defend against allegations involving 42 million ringgit ($10 million) of bribes in a case involving a former unit of troubled state fund 1MDB.

He read out his statement slowly in a packed courtroom in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. In his testimony, he maintained that he acted in the best interests of the country and sought to show that he consulted the cabinet, 1MDB executives and his advisers at every step of the relevant transactions.