KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Court allows bail to be paid by Sept 28; Najib walks free
• Bail fixed for Najib at RM3.5 million
• Bail office and court's bank closed; unsure if Najib will spend night behind bars
• Prosecution wants court to prevent Najib from interfering
• Najib claims trial to 25 charges
• Shafee asks Sri Ram to show authority for prosecutorial appointment
• Najib's supporters demand courtroom entry
• US officials attend court to observe proceedings

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5.30pm: This marks the end of Malaysiakini's live updates on former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's court proceedings today. Thank you for following us. 

The reporters who covered today's proceedings are Hafiz Yatim, Hariz Mohd, and Koh Jun Lin.

5.15pm: Shafee wants cautioned statement of witnesses and other documents to be given to the defence.

He assured that RM1 million be paid tomorrow and then RM500,000 each other day until Sept 28.

Judge Azura then fixed Nov 16 for mention.

Shafee says he wants case transferred to High Court and Sri Ram indicates there is no objection.

Najib is free to leave the court.

5.10pm:  Shafee assures there won't be any hiccups in payment of the bail.

He quips that if payment of RM500,000 is made daily the bank downstairs would take half-a-day to count it.

Mohd Nizar Najib and Mohd Shahrir Arifin are the sureties.

Judge Azura ordered that bail money is paid in full by Sept 28.

Bail fixed for Najib at RM3.5 million

5pm: Shafee asks what is wrong if Najib wants to influence public opinion, especially from the "barrage coming from the present PM and Finance Minister".

He says the minister cites freedom of speech and so, his client should be accorded the same.

Sri Ram says the amount of money is huge.

He says that the prosecution stands by the bail amount proposed earlier.

Justice Azura Alwi fixes bail at RM3.5 million and says that the court does not see the need for Najib to be barred from attending public functions.

Shafee assures that the bail will be paid in staggered amounts beginning tomorrow. Sri Ram says it is the court's discretion.

4.45pm: Sri Ram says there are many statements made by Najib regarding the case and he wants to influence public opinion.

This, he added are special circumstances whereby bail should not be granted.

"This case involves the man (then) holding highest office in the executive of the country and he faces serious charges and he must realise the severity of the offence and (also so) the public may know.

"The bail should not become a mockery. It is not correct to say RM500k would suffice due to the amount stated in the charges.

"If this court wants, we can adduce affidavit from the authorities. If (the court) wants to grant bail, RM5 million is appropriate," Sri Ram says.

Shafee points out that RM2.03 billion was sent back by Najib to Tanore after the election on May 5, 2013.

"They claimed RM2.282 (billion) but RM2.03 billion was returned".

Bail office and court's bank closed

4.40pm: It is unclear if Najib can make bail if any is set. The bail office had closed at 4.30pm, and an officer with the office said that there were no instructions to extend operations for today.

The officer said a bank account for bail to be posted can only be opened at the court's Maybank branch after the court has set the bail amount.

However, the court's bank has closed for the day, with its metal shutters already pulled down.

4.36pm: Shafee proposes that since Najib has been given bail in the previous case, then this court should give bail. 

He suggested bail of RM500,000 with two sureties. 

Sri Ram replies that the amount involved in the charges amounts to RM2.28billion. 

He said the charges under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 are serious charges. 

Sri Ram added that Najib's social status was "not sufficient grounds to grant bail", and that it was "irrelevant" that he had enjoyed a high position in society.

4.25pm: Shafee says Najib had previously given three statements to the MACC, and had given the agency an additional statement since being charged this time around.

He says Najib received a request from MACC at 10.30am yesterday to attend an interview, and had turned up at the agency's headquarters at 3.30pm yesterday.

Shafee mentions that his client had been detained overnight by MACC and comments on the action taken by the police.

The prosecution objects to such a statement as it affects the integrity of enforcement agencies.

4.20pm: Shafee says it is unfair that his client is being asked to remain silent, while the media are not. 

"The condition has nothing to do with the dominant purpose of bail where he (Najib) always turns up when called."

Najib is seen leaning back while listening to Shafee's submission. 

Shafee further said bail should not be punitive and added that Najib's two international passport have been surrendered.

Prosecution wants court to prevent Najib from interfering

4.15pm: The conditions that the prosecution wants imposed on the former premier are as follows:

• For Najib not to appear at public functions, except religious functions; and
• For Najib to refrain from making public statements.

Shafee says this is not possible, as Najib is an MP and he has to attend public functions. He adds that the second condition would be a violation of free speech, as attorney-general Tommy Thomas would say.

4.05pm: Sri Ram says he wants conditions imposed for fear Najib would interfere with this case.

He says if bail is granted, it must be with two sureties. 

Shafee says that bail should be allowed.

In this current situation, he says, the court has discretion to grant bail and can impose conditions. 

3.56pm - Sri Ram says the prosecution objects to bail for the defence, given the seriousness of the offences.

He noted that the US attorney-general Jeff Sessions (photo) had said that this was a case of "kleptocracy at its worst".

"We object as the accused has, in 2015, interfered in the case," Sri Ram says.

He noted that Najib had a "propensity" of interfering with the case, and says, "He should not receive better treatment."

He pointed out that Najib had made statements on Twitter and Facebook "attacking the investigation of the authorities". 

Shafee objected, and asked that the MACC senior officers be allowed to come and testify.

Sri Ram wants the condition imposed that Najib does not say anything concerning 1MDB. 

3.46pm: Prosecutors want a joint trial for all the charges as they arrive from the predicate charge of RM2.081 billion and involves the same account.

However, Shafee objects to it. He also wants to know whether the hearing will be held in Sessions Court 8 or 9.

On the bail application, the prosecution informs the court that all the 25 charges are not bailable.

As such, Sri Ram says they are objecting to bail. However, if the court grants bail, they want it to be set at RM5 million.

Najib claims trial to 25 charges

3.20pm: Sri Ram asks for the other charges against Najib, which fall under money laundering, to be read out. 

The former premier subsequently claims trial to the following charges:

1. That he received RM155 million from a Tanore Finance Corporation account in Falcon Bank, Singapore on March 22, 2013;
2. That he received another RM155 million from Tanore Finance Corporation on March 22, 2013; 
3. That he received a third transfer of RM155million from Tanore Finance Corporation on March 22, 2013;
4. That he received RM188 million from Tanore Finance Corporation on March 26, 2013; 
5. That he received RM231 million from Tanore Finance Corporation on March 28, 2013;
6. That he received RM138 million from Tanore Finance Corporation on March 28, 2013;
7. That he received RM152 million from Tanore Finance Corporation on April 8, 2013;
8. That he received RM304 million from Tanore Finance Corporation on April 9, 2013;
9. That he received RM602 million from Tanore Finance Corporationon April 10, 2013
10. That he engaged in money laundering by transferring RM652 million from his Ambank account to Tanore Finance Corporationon Aug 2, 2013
11. That he engaged in money laundering by paying RM20 million to Umno on Aug 2, 2013;
12. That he engaged in money laundering by paying RM100,000 to Umno's Batu Kawan division on Aug 7, 2013;
13. That he engaged in money laundering by paying RM246,000 to Lim Soon Peng on Aug 7, 2013;
14. That he engaged in money laundering by paying RM2 million to ORB Solutions Sdn Bhd on Aug 12, 2013;
15. That he engaged in money laundering by paying RM303,000 to Semarak Consortium Sdn Bhd on Aug 14, 2013;
16. That he engaged in money laundering by transferring RM326.8 million to Tanore Finance Corporation on Aug 15, 2013;
17. That he engaged in money laundering by transferring RM327.3 million to Tanore Finance Corporation on Aug 15, 2013;
18. That he engaged in money laundering by transferring RM181.8 million to Tanore Finance Corporation on Aug 22, 2013
19. That he engaged in money laundering by transferring RM545.8 million to Tanore Finance Corporation on Aug 23, 2013
20. That he engaged in money laundering by transferring RM150 million to Tanore Finance Corporation on Aug 27, 2013
21. That he engaged in money laundering by transferring RM12.4 million to another Ambank account belonging to him on Aug 30, 2013.

3.12pm: Najib claims trial to three more charges, as follows:

• That he abused his position as prime minister and finance minister by receiving RM90 million from 1MDB;
• That he received RM2.081 billion in his personal bank account; and
• That he abused his position as prime minister and finance minister on June 23, 2014 to receive more than RM49 million.

In the second charge under Section 24(1) of the MACC Act, he is accused of having abused his positions to secure RM90.9 million between Oct 31, 2012 and Nov 20, 2012.

He is accused of having done so through his actions as finance minister on Feb 9, 2012, to approve 1MDB's bid to take over Tanjong Energy Holdings Sd Bhd for RM10.6 billion, and then later, on Aug 10, 2012, approving 1MDB's bid to take over Mastika Lagenda Sdn Bhd for RM2.75 billion.

He is accused of subsequently approving 1MDB's issuance of a 10-year structured loan note worth US$1.75 billion.

The third charge against Najib pertains to the RM2.6 billion deposited into his personal bank account.

Najib is accused of having received RM2.081 billion - as the amount was valued at the time - between March 23, 2013 and April 10, 2013.

He is accused of having done this by approving 1MDB to enter a joint venture with Aabar Investment PJS and subsequently issuing a letter of support for 1MDB to issue a US$ 3 billion bond.

He is charged under Sections 23(1) and 24(1) of the MACC Act. 

The fourth charge against Najib concerns the alleged abusing of his position to acquire gratification amounting to RM49.9 million, by instructing the 1MDB board of directors to approve the taking of a US$975 million loan from Deustch Bank for an initial public offering (IPO) for 1MDB Energy Bhd.

3.10pm: In the first charge, Najib is accused of having abused his position between Feb 24 and June 14, 2011 as a public officer, prime minister, finance minister, and chairperson of 1MDB's board of advisors to misappropriate RM60 million for himself. 

This was done by asking the cabinet in April 1, 2009 to grant a government guarantee to Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA), which the latter used to secure a RM5 billion loan.

Najib had then on July 29, 2009, as prime minister, ordered the federal government to take over TIA and renamed it as 1MDB, in which he had a direct interest.

He is charged under Section 24(1) of the MACC Act 2009. 

Najib claims trial to this charge.

Shafee asks Sri Ram to show authority for prosecutorial appointment

3.05pm: Sri Ram asks that the charges be read out. 

Shafee wants Sri Ram to show the authority for his appointment as a prosecutor. 

"Until today we have not got it," Shafee says.

Sri Ram says he will deal with this. 

3.02pm: Najib walks in from the witness room. Someone in the crowd shouts out, "Boss!" and the former premier smiles. 

Court session resumes.  

3.00pm: Ismail walks into the courtroom with four supporters.  

Najib is in the witness room consulting with Shafee. 

Najib's supporters demand courtroom entry

2.45pm: Outside the courthouse, about 20 of Najib's supporters led by Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob have gathered and are demanding to be allowed to go in.

They are blocked by a team of police, including those dressed in riot gear.

The situation becomes heated when the supporters argue with police that they should be allowed inside.

After a discussion, police allow Ismail to go in. Five minutes later, the group of supporters is allowed in after they promise to behave and will not become unruly. 

US officials attend court to observe proceedings

2.45pm: There are two US officials observing the proceedings.

2.31pm: Najib's son, Norashman, walks into the courtroom.

Meanwhile, Sri Ram introduces the various parties present, namely the prosecution, defence, and representatives from the Malaysian Bar. 

He shows the note of consent to prosecute Najib, and asks it to be marked by the court. 

He wants the four MACC charges to be read out. 

Shafee wanted a copy of the charges earlier, saying they had been unable to advise Najib. He suggests that no plea be taken when the charges are read, or that a short adjournment be called. 

2.25pm: The court is about to start with Sessions judge Justice Azura Alwi presiding. 

The court interpreter and all lawyers are seated. 

Najib walks in and is seated in the dock. 

2.15pm: MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations)  Azam Baki walks into the courtroom and sits in the front row of the public gallery. 

Najib is still in the witness room, waiting to be brought out. 

Lawyers are taking their places in the packed courtroom. 

2.10pm: Shafee arrives in the courtroom with his defence team, which includes Havinderjit Singh, Farhan Shafee, and Farhan Read. 

Lawyer Kumaraendran, who is holding a watching brief for Rosmah, is also in court. 

So far none of Najib's family members have been sighted. 

2.10pm: Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan prays for Najib to be strong in facing his tribulations. 

"May he be granted justice. Truth will be upheld if the courts are fair," he tweeted.

Najib arrives at KL court complex

1.50pm: Najib arrives at the Kuala Lumpur court complex and is swarmed by journalists and photographers. He is then led into court where Sri Ram is waiting.

1.35pm: Najib leaves the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) four hours after he was brought there for questioning.

Escorted by police and MACC officers, the former prime minister appears to be in high spirits and is seen smiling and waving to the media.

He is taken into a black unmarked Toyota Wish, believed to be headed to the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex where he is to be charged.

1.30pm: Former premier Najib Abdul Razak will be brought to the Jalan Duta Court complex in Kuala Lumpur today, for the third time, where he is expected to be slapped with a whole new slew of charges in relation to the 1MDB probe.

He will first be taken to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, where police have stated that Najib will face 21 counts in relation to alleged money laundering in connection to the RM2.6 billion he purportedly received in his personal bank account.

These do not include the four proposed charges to be levied by the MACC under the MACC Act today.

Najib was arrested yesterday and held overnight by the MACC.

He was brought to the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) building this morning for further questioning.

Two truckloads of police personnel have been stationed outside the court as Najib supporters are expected to start gathering at 2.30pm.

The prosecution is expected to be led by former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram, while senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah will appear for Najib. Lawyer K Kumaraendran is expected to appear for watching brief for Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor.

The Malaysian Bar is holding a watching brief in the case. It will be represented by secretary Roger Chan. 

Malaysiakini is covering the court proceedings live inside and outside the court complex.