At start of 1MDB trial, prosecution paints a tale of excess and abuse

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 28, 2019. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian prosecutors on Wednesday said former prime minister Najib Razak abused his power to cover up the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars from the state fund 1MDB and used the fund for self-gratification.

On the opening day of the biggest trial in the 1MDB financial scandal, prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram said Najib used his position to evade justice, especially after news of the scandal broke in July 2015.