Najib faces six more charges over state funds

KUALA LUMPUR - Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was charged with six counts of criminal breach of trust involving government funds worth more than $1.5 billion on Thursday, adding to the 32 charges he already faces for money laundering and graft.

His former treasury chief, Irwan Serigar Abdullah, was also charged with criminal breach of trust, becoming the highest-ranking civil servant to be charged since Najib was unexpectedly ousted in a general election in May.

The two pleaded not guilty to all the charges, each of which carries a jail term of up to 20 years, a financial penalty and a whipping sentence. Both Najib and Irwan would be exempted from whipping as they are over the age of 50.