This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on July 5, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: A press conference scheduled to be held by Attorney-General (AG) Tommy Thomas on former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s trial was interrupted by a commotion at the Kuala Lumpur courts yesterday. Chants of “Melayu” and “bebas Najib” were hurled at the AG by Najib’s supporters, who had gathered in solidarity with him at the courts since early morning yesterday.

Journalists believed it was started by blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris — better known as Papagomo — followed by some representatives of Wanita Umno.The police escorted the supporters out of the courts without arresting them.

The AG was supposed to brief the media after the bail agreements for Najib were settled, but was disturbed by the commotion demanding him to speak in Malay. Meanwhile, Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah was seen leaving the High Court room in haste.

“We have to deal with the bail first,” he briefed the media. Muhammad Shafee requested for Najib’s bail to be switched from cash terms to the land title belonging to him along Jalan Langgak Duta here as Najib’s bank accounts have been frozen pending investigations.

Earlier, Najib had his charges read to him in the Sessions Court before the case was transferred to the High Court, under the request of the prosecution team. In one charge sheet, Najib was charged under the MACC Act 2009 for receiving kickbacks amounting to RM42 million for participating in the government’s decision to provide a guarantee over loans of RM4 billion from Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) to SRC International Sdn Bhd, formerly a subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

If found guilty, the former prime minister could face a maximum jail sentence of 20 years and a fine of up to five times the value of the bribe. He is also facing three separate charges under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust amounting to RM27 million, RM5 million and RM10 million respectively — totalling RM42 million — all allegedly siphoned from SRC International.

If found guilty, Najib could face a jail sentence of between two and 20 years, as well as a fine.