Malaysia ex-PM's wife pleads not guilty to money laundering
[ad_1] KUALA LUMPUR: The detained wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najjib Razak pleaded not guilty Thursday to laundering illegal proceeds from a graft scandal involving the 1MDB state investment fund, five months after her husband's shocking electoral loss. Rosmah Mansor, 66, was charged with 17 counts of money laundering and claimed trial, after smiling and waving at reporters as she was escorted into the court building. Rosmah had been arrested by the anti-graft agency Wednesday after being questioned a third time over alleged theft and money laundering at the fund. "Clearly this is a first for Malaysia. This speaks to the prominent political role of Rosmah in the administration, which was highly contentious during Najib's tenure. She was seen to be involved in the perceived corruption and his business dealings, as an important gatekeeper," said Bridget Welsh, political science professor at John Cabot University in Rome. Najib also appeared in court Thurs...