KUALA LUMPUR: A crowd of supporters has gathered since as early as 7.30am ahead of the arrival of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who will learn his fate in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) money laundering trial.
About 200 people stood outside the main entrance to the Kuala Lumpur court complex, some holding banners and chanting slogans of “Bebas Najib” (free Najib).
Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh arrived at the court complex at 8.20am.
"Let’s pray for the best for him today," he said when met.
The main gate of the Kuala Lumpur court complex was closed at about 8.30am and Najib was said to have been brought into the court premises through another entrance.
Six years after being charged, Najib will know later on Wednesday (Oct 30) whether he will be acquitted or called to enter his defence on four counts of abusing his position for the gratification of RM2.28bil from the coffers of 1MDB and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same funds.
Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah will deliver his decision at the end of the prosecution's case.
Najib is expected to arrive by 9am for the proceedings at the High Court.
He will be called to enter his defence if the court finds a prima facie case. An accused called to enter a defence may choose to testify under oath from the witness stand, give a statement from the dock, or remain silent.
However, if a prima facie case is not established, the court will acquit Najib of the charges.
Last Thursday (Oct 24), Najib publicly apologised to all Malaysians over the 1MDB scandal during his tenure as prime minister and finance minister.
In a statement read by his son Datuk Mohd Nizar Najib at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex where his trial is currently being held, Najib said he decided to make the statement after much reflection during his 26 months in jail for his conviction in the RM42mil SRC International Sdn Bhd graft trial and following significant recent developments relating to 1MDB.
“It pains me to know the 1MDB debacle happened under my watch as the minister of finance and prime minister. For that, I would like to apologise unreservedly to the Malaysian people,” Nizar read.
According to the amended charges, the former Pekan MP is facing four counts of using his position to obtain RM2.28bil from 1MDB's funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
