KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 20):  Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the 25 new charges he is facing gives him the chance to clear his name in connection with the RM2.6 billion that was transferred into his personal bank account.

Speaking to reporters after he claimed trial to four corruption and 21 money laundering charges, Najib maintained his position that the RM2.6 billion issue was used to tarnish his reputation.

"These charges today will give me an opportunity to clear my name, prove that I am not a thief, and hopefully put an end to the RM2.6 billion issue,” he said.

“These charges can be put into three phases: when the funds were received; when they were spent; and when they were returned.

"Based on the 21 charges of money laundering, one can understand that I have returned a big sum of money shortly after the 13th general election," he claimed.

The former premier also said he was not placed in a lock-up last night after being summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

"I was not in a lock-up, I was only within the MACC premises. I want to thank the police and MACC for treating me well. I have no issue going through this legal process as long as justice is being done. I want justice so that I am given a chance to clear my name," he said.

The 25 charges are based on transactions involving about RM2.3 billion of funds linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) in Najib’s personal bank accounts in AmIslamic Bank Bhd.

The Sessions Court released Najib on bail of RM3.5 million in two sureties.

The court agreed to a request from his lawyer for the bail to be paid in instalments, with the first payment of RM1 million tomorrow, followed by RM500,000 per day from Monday to Friday next week.

The case will be mentioned in court on Nov 16.