Malaysian ex-PM Najib settles remainder of bail

Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak leaves a courtroom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 4, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS

Updated

Published

Jul 09, 2018, 11:31 AM

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak paid the remaining RM500,000 (S$168,000) cash for his bail at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex on Monday (July 9).

He arrived at 11.43am on Monday (July 9) and left at 11.54am, accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansor.

His arrival was greeted with chants of "Bebas Najib" (Free Najib) from dozens of supporters.

Najib's children, Mr Norashman and Ms Nooryana Najwa, were seen at the High Court criminal registration counter earlier.

Datuk Mohd Razlan Mohamad Rafii, spokesman for the Solidariti Bersama Datuk Najib (Solidarity with Datuk Najib) group said earlier that a total of RM490,000 had been collected from the public to settle the bail amount.

"We have about RM402,000 in our account at the moment and I also have about RM88,000 cash which we will hand over to him," he said.

He said he hoped the donations would bring financial and moral support to Najib.

"Not only did we have donations come in from all over Malaysia but there were also donations from Singapore, Indonesia and Canada," he said.

"I feel so touched by the donations from Umno members from all levels," said Najib, as quoted by news site Malaysiakini.

"This (the donations) is a sign of Umno members and ordinary citizens showing their love for a leader. It is hoped that with their prayers and blessings, my family and I will be able to successfully overcome this major challenge," the Pekan MP said.

Actress Ellie Suriaty was among Najib's supporters spotted at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex ahead of the arrival of the former prime minister.

Ellie showed up with a few supporters at about 9.25am on Monday.

A donation campaign to fund the former premier's legal defence was also launched.

Najib last Wednesday claimed trial to three counts of criminal breach of trust and another charge of abuse of power involving RM42mil linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The argument for bail took about an hour before it was fixed at RM1 million by High Court judge Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak.

Payment of the bail was allowed to be made in two instalments and Najib left the court complex last Wednesday after paying RM500,000 with the remainder to be paid on Monday.