Malaysia’s leader assures fair trial for Najib

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, walks into a courtroom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, July 4, 2018. Najib has arrived at a Kuala Lumpur court house to face charges stemming from a corruption probe, two months after his shock election defeat. (AP Photo/Yam G-Jun)

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad assured a fair trial for former leader Najib Razak, who faces multiple charges related to the alleged multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund.

“We promise that there will be no vengeance but the law will take its own course. … He will get a fair trial in this country,” Mahathir said.

But he added: “Najib is the main culprit. The world knows that Najib stole money.”

Mahathir said fixing Malaysia’s finances remains the key priority of the government, which will mark its 100 days in office this week.

“There may be a need for us to sell government assets for us to raise money to pay debts. That is the extent of Najib’s wrongdoing,” he said.

This, he noted, could include selling stakes in government-linked businesses and properties, with a priority given to Malaysians.  /kga