Three Former PMs At The Same Court
Three former Malaysian prime ministers were at Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Duta court complex on Thursday, Aug 27, each for a different legal battle. Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Najib Razak and Muhyiddin Yassin all appeared at the complex on the same day, creating a rare sight involving three men who once held Malaysia’s top political job.
Together, they led the country at different points between 2009 and 2022. Their cases, however, are not connected. Ismail Sabri appeared over an alleged failure to declare assets, Najib returned for a civil lawsuit linked to the 1MDB scandal, while Muhyiddin continued his trial over charges tied to the Jana Wibawa programme.
The proceedings involve large sums, from hundreds of millions of ringgit to billions of US dollars. Their schedules simply happened to bring all three former leaders to the same court complex on Thursday.
Ismail Sabri Arrives With Supporters From Bera
Ismail Sabri, 66, arrived with his legal team and was met by scores of supporters. Two busloads had travelled from Bera, the constituency he represents as an MP, to support him at court.
Ismail Sabri served as prime minister from August 2021 to November 2022. He was charged with failing to declare assets under Malaysia’s anti-corruption law, with the assets said to include nearly US$40 million and gold bars. He had originally been scheduled to face the charge on Aug 7, but the proceedings were postponed after he was admitted to the National Heart Institute and underwent a pacemaker procedure.
Ismail Sabri has also been at the centre of corruption and money laundering allegations. He was called in by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for multiple rounds of questioning last year.
The anti-graft agency completed its probe in June 2025. His arrival, accompanied by supporters from his constituency, was the first of the three former prime minister appearances highlighted that day.
Najib Returns For 1MDB-Linked Civil Lawsuit
Najib, 73, arrived shortly after Ismail Sabri for the continuation of a civil lawsuit linked to the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal. He served as Malaysia’s prime minister from April 2009 to May 2018, making him the earliest-serving prime minister among the three men at the complex that day.
The lawsuit was brought against Najib and several others over alleged losses connected to the sovereign wealth fund. The trial is expected to continue with testimony about transactions and decisions involving US$5.64 billion.
The fund alleges that the money was misappropriated through fraudulent transactions. Najib’s court appearance was unrelated to Ismail Sabri’s asset declaration case and Muhyiddin’s Jana Wibawa trial.
Still, his arrival shortly after Ismail Sabri added to the unusual scene at the court complex, where more than one former Malaysian leader was dealing with major legal proceedings at the same time.
Muhyiddin Continues Trial Over Jana Wibawa
Muhyiddin, 79, was also at the Jalan Duta complex to continue his trial on seven charges linked to the Jana Wibawa programme. The initiative was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to support businesses and stimulate Malaysia’s economy.
Muhyiddin served as prime minister from March 2020 to August 2021 and is also president of political party Bersatu. He faces four charges of abusing his position to allegedly obtain RM232.5 million, or about US$58 million, in gratification for the party.
He also faces three money laundering charges involving RM200 million. His case is separate from the proceedings involving Najib and Ismail Sabri. With Muhyiddin also appearing at the complex, the day brought together three former prime ministers whose terms in office covered different periods of Malaysia’s recent political history.
While the cases differ in their details, all three men were at the same Kuala Lumpur court complex on the same day for their respective legal battles.
According to Reuters news.
More from Wake Up Singapore:
17-Year-Old Malaysian Boy Loses Dad, Faces Eviction and RM20,000 Medical Debt
TikToker Meets Ghanaian Online Friends, Introduces Them To Singapore And Its Famous Durian
GUILTY 30 years later – Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis convicted of Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder
If you have a story or a tip-off, email admin@wakeup.sg or get in touch via Whatsapp at 8882 5913.
Interested in advertising on our media channels? Reach out to us at admin@wakeup.sg!
Since you have made it to the end of the article, follow Wake Up Singapore on Telegram and X!
Wake Up Singapore is a volunteer-run site that covers alternative views in Singapore. If you want to volunteer with us, sign up here!
