From highest office to high court: Malaysia gripped by Najib's downfall

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Najib Razak – Malaysians watched live on Wednesday as a result of a corruption scandal, an extraordinary event in the swift downfall of the former prime minister since he lost an election less than two months ago.

Najib, 64, was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust power in connection with the scandal-plagued state fund 1MDB.

He has denied any wrongdoing and says the charges are politically motivated. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

National television networks broadcast pictures of Najib's convoy as it moved through morning rush-hour traffic to the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Online news portals posted live updates of the scene outside the court where scores of journalists and onlookers waited for Najib's arrival.

Wearing a dark blue suit, Najib smiled and waved to the crowd of police escorted him into the court.

The charges were read out to Najib in a short sessions, before moving to the High Court where an official read out the charges again. Najib, standing and nodding occasionally, pleaded not guilty.

Three of his children – Ashman, Nooryana Najwa and Nazifuddin – watched the proceedings in the packed court.

Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, who is also being investigated in the 1MDB case, was also at the court.

Malaysians said the charging of Najib, the son of the country's second prime minister, was the latest surprise since a May 9 election swept him from power.

"So, @NajibRazak becomes the first ever Prime Minister to be arrested. Yet another piece of history written for #MalaysiaBaharu (New Malaysia), "said one Twitter user called Sheikh Shamir.

Fahmi Reza, one of several political satirists who faced fine, legal action and jail terms for mocking Najib, went to court to see Najib charged.

"I'm at KL Court today as a citizen who has been silenced, persecuted & sentenced to jail for speaking up against @NajibRazak," Fahmi said on Twitter.

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PUBLIC GLARE

The 1MDB investigations have gripped the nation, with the help of a newly entrenched mainstream media that is closely tracking Najib's downfall.

News of Najib's arrest on Tuesday was splashed across the front pages of newspapers, something unimaginable just eight weeks ago.

Under the leadership of the Barisan Nasional Coalition lost an election for the first time in 1957 following Malaysia's independence from Britain.

Days after he was sworn in as prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, to form the first Najib, restarted investigations into 1MDB and barred Najib from leaving Malaysia.

Najib's family homes were searched in full public, with police seizing millions of dollars in luxury items.

Outside the court on Wednesday, about 100 Najib Supporters.

"This is unfair … They are trying to get him on whatever load they can," said Suhaila M. Zin, 43.

Some Najib supporters disrupted a news conference by Attorney General Tommy Thomas, creating a ruckus until police cleared them out.

Thomas spoke briefly in English to say he would take questions from reporters. He left as songs of "Melayu" resounded, to seeming insistence that he speak in the Malay language.

Thomas is the first non-Malay to hold the post of attorney general since 1963, and his appointment faced opposition from some groups representing the ethnic Malay majority.

Najib left looking relaxed after one million ringgit ($ 247,000). He even speaking briefly to reporters.

"Today, I have been underlined. This is something I had expected, because it is the intention of the new government, "he said.

"I believe in my innocence and this is the best chance to clear my name," he said, waving off issues with a smile.