Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib charged with more corruption counts

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, right, arrives at High Court of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018. Najib will face a new charge of money laundering over a multibillion-dollar graft scandal at a state investment fund, the anti-corruption agency said. Najib in July pleaded not guilty to abuse of power and three counts of criminal breach of trust, just two months after the scandal led to his stunning election defeat. (AP Photo/Yam G-Jun)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia  — Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been charged with three counts of money laundering related to the alleged multibillion-dollar looting of a state investment fund, adding to his troubles just three months after his stunning electoral defeat.

Najib stood calmly in the dock Wednesday as the charges were read to him. Last month he pleaded not guilty to abuse of power and breach of trust charges.

All of the charges against him involve the transfer of 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) into his bank accounts from SRC International, a former unit of the 1MDB fund that international investigators say was looted of billions by Najib’s associates.

Each money-laundering count carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a substantial fine.  /muf