It has been almost a year since Najib Razak was ousted from power by voters angered by corruption claims linked to state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), but the former Malaysian prime minister has yet to be tried for the dozens of criminal charges lined up against him.

While the trial delay - mainly to hear procedural arguments - has allowed him to talk up his innocence and even help his Umno party to victory in two recent by-elections, the delay means the 1MDB scandal will continue to cast its shadow on the integrity of his opposition front.