KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's High Court on Wednesday ordered imprisoned former Prime Minister Najib Razak to enter a defense in his second corruption trial over the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund.
Najib set up the 1Malaysia Development Berhad state fund shortly after taking power in 2009 to promote economic development, but the fund amassed billions in debt. Investigators allege more than $4.5 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered by his associates to finance Hollywood films and extravagant purchases.
The prosecution established its case on four charges of abuse of power to obtain over $700 million from the fund that went into Najib's bank accounts between 2011 and 2014, and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount, trial judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah said Wednesday.
He said evidence showed Najib had a vested interest in 1MDB, and his pivotal role in all relevant transactions that eventually plunged the fund into debt. Testimony by witnesses also contradicted Najib's claim that the funds in his bank accounts were a donation from the Saudi Arabia royal family, the judge said.
The court called on Najib to make his defense, with the trial set to resume Dec. 2. Calm in a blue suit throughout the proceedings, Najib, 71, told the court he would testify under oath.
Defense lawyer Mohamed Shafee Abdullah told reporters that Najib was disappointed with the court ruling.
“We are not giving up and we are going to fight this case," he added.
The 1MDB scandal upended Najib’s government and he was defeated in the 2018 election. He faces a slew of legal cases and started serving time in 2022 after losing his final appeal in his first graft case linked to 1MDB.
Najib’s current trial began in August 2019. It ties him directly to the scandal and involved 50 witnesses testifying over more than 230 days of hearing.
On Oct. 24, Najib issued a rare apology for the scandal “under his watch” but reiterated his innocence.
Najib faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of abuse of power and up to five years for each of the money laundering charges. In addition, Najib still has a pending case involving a criminal breach of trust and another money laundering trial. His wife Rosmah Mansor and other senior government officials also face corruption charges.
Rosmah Mansor, left, wife of Malaysian former Prime Minister Najib Razak arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court complex in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Malaysian former Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, is escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court complex in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Malaysian former Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, is escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court complex in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Buddy Hield scored a season-best 28 points, Brandin Podziemski had 19 points and fueled a furious second-half comeback, and the Golden State Warriors rallied from 17 down to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 124-106 on Tuesday night.
Zion Williamson had a season-high 31 points on 12-for-20 shooting and eight rebounds for New Orleans. Brandon Ingram scored 30 points.
Jonathan Kuminga, who started the initial three games for Golden State but was averaging 8.0 points on 33.3% shooting, came off the bench to score 17. Reserve Lindy Waters III had 21 points and nine rebounds in his best game yet for Golden State.
The short-handed Warriors needed everything from everybody with starters Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins sidelined.
Curry missed the game with a sprained left ankle he injured in the second half of Sunday's 112-104 loss to the Clippers. He is set to be re-evaluated Friday.
Wiggins and De’Anthony Melton each sat out with lower back strains. Coach Steve Kerr called Wiggins questionable for the second straight matchup against New Orleans on Wednesday night at Chase Center.
Pelicans: New Orleans held a 44-34 rebounding edge after dominating the boards in the initial quarter.
Warriors: The Warriors limited their turnovers to eight after committing 21 on Sunday and forced New Orleans into 24 for 34 points — making 15 steals. Golden State overcame shooting 5 for 23 in the opening quarter — 2 of 13 from 3-point range — to fall behind 31-14.
Podziemski's 3-pointer with 8:22 left in the third tied the game. He scored again the next time down, sparking the Warriors to a 71-67 lead they never relinquished. He also blocked two shots.
Hield returned to the starting lineup and overcame a slow start to make seven 3-pointers after a disappointing home debut Sunday in which he missed 8 of 9 3s and scored eight points.
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New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green yells to his team against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gestures to his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) steals the ball from New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) is congratulated by CJ McCollum (3) after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) is defend by Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney, back, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski, right, shoots against New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) celebrates against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
