Today was former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s first public appearance since his incarceration on Tuesday, where he was given a 12-year jail sentence.
While court proceedings were taking place in the Kuala Lumpur High Court for his 1MDB corruption trial involving RM2.28 billion before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah, several events occurred outside the complex.
First, a seemingly vexed Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Najib’s lawyer, had a go at media personnel before returning for the afternoon session of the hearing after being asked about his client’s wellbeing.
A reporter had merely asked: “How is Najib?”
Shafee then retorted “I am not going to say anything to you (the media). You twist and turn our words, even in court.”
When asked further, Shafee snapped and said “Go and find out for yourselves,” before heading into the complex.
Najib’s wife Rosmah Mansor, however, assured the media that her husband was doing alright when she departed from the complex at 3.40pm.
“He (Najib) is in good health. Thank you very much for coming to give your support,” she told reporters, before entering her vehicle.
She was also spotted talking to some of the former finance minister’s supporters who had spent the day at court to show their support.
One of the supporters was seen wiping away her tears following the interaction as the group trailed behind Rosmah, who left the court with an entourage.
Causing a scene
Meanwhile, an unidentified man caused a ruckus outside the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex at 12.30pm.
Although it is unclear whether he was a Najib supporter, the man clad in a black suit received some cheers from the supporters who were present here today.
Wailing and yelling, it was mostly unclear what he was trying to say.
A representative from a group of 11 Najib supporters who had been present since morning, Said Nazar Abd Bakar, told the media that the unknown man was not part of their group.
“We don’t know him. For as long as we have followed Najib’s case these four years, this is the first time we have seen this man.
“We don’t know what his motive is causing a scene here,” he said, adding that Najib supporters were not like that.
The man was later escorted off the premises by the police.
Following the adjournment of today’s hearing, media personnel and the former premier’s supporters waited eagerly for his exit, back to Kajang Prison where he is currently serving his sentence.
Around 4.20pm, a convoy of police cars was seen leaving the compound, passing supporters who had gathered in front of the complex and chanted “Bossku, Bossku”, “lawan tetap lawan” (keep on fighting) and “Allahuakbar”.
Najib rolled down his window slightly to wave at his supporters as he departed.
‘First time Najib can see family’
The former premier is facing four ongoing criminal cases that are still at the prosecution stage of the trial.
On Tuesday, the apex court dismissed his appeal in the SRC case involving seven criminal charges, and he was sentenced to a 12-year jail sentence and an RM210 million fine in default of another five years imprisonment.
The former finance minister’s special officer Lutfi Azhar also revealed to the press that this was the first time Najib has been able to meet his family since he was jailed.
He added that it remains unclear if Najib will be transferred to Sungai Buloh prison. - Mkini
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