Malaysia's former leader Najib Razak has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption and criminal breach of trust in connection with a multibillion-dollar scandal surrounding state fund 1MDB.
Appearing in the High Court on Wednesday, Najib was granted bail of 1 million ringgit ($247,000) and ordered to surrender his passports. He faces three counts of criminal breach of trust, as well as one charge under the anti-corruption act, and could be jailed for up to 20 years and fined. The ex-prime minister is seeking a trial for all charges.
While the breach of trust charges carry punishments that include whipping — usually done with strokes of a rattan cane — Najib may be exempted for being more than 50 years old.