On July 4, former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was charged with multiple counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of using his position for gratification.

Bail was set at RM1,000,000 in cash in two sureties by High Court Judge Datuk Mohammad Sofian Abdul Razak.

Najib's daughter, Nooryana Najwa Najib, and son, Norashman Najib, paid the first instalment of RM 500,000 on the same day he was charged. Their bank accounts, along with those of their siblings, were subsequently frozen.

Najib was given until July 9, 3pm, to pay the second instalment of the bail.

Supporters step up

Accordingly, a group calling itself Solidariti Bersama Datuk Najib (Solidarity with Datuk Najib) decided to organise a fund raising campaign to help Najib in posting the second instalment of his bail.

"We want to give moral and financial support to Datuk Seri Najib," said the fund's spokesperson Mohammad Razlan Mohamad Rafii.

Zaleha Bujang, from the women's wing of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), also got in on the act by setting up another fund called the "Free Najib" fund and donated her own gold bracelet to it.

It was an act that caught Najib's attention and he responded on Twitter, thanking her.

Saya sangat tersentuh hati dengan kesanggupan Puan Zaleha Bujang , Ketua Wanita Jasin mengorbankan gelang kesangannya untuk menyumbang kpd Tabung Bantu an ikat jamin saya.

— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) July 6, 2018

For our non-Malay speaking friends, the tweet roughly translates as "I am very touched that Zaleha is willing to part with her beloved bracelet to contribute to the fund, to raise enough bail money."

Zaleha responded by thanking Najib for the tweet, adding that "what I did was a sign of respect for him".

More than RM 500,000 raised

Despite reports that the bank account set up by UMNO women's wing was subsequently frozen on July 7, a total of RM261,286 and two bracelets were still successfully donated towards Najib's bail.

Separately, the bank account set up by Razlan for Solidariti Bersama Datuk Najib continued operating without issue. 

According to Razlan, this fund was successful in raising a total of RM490,000. He also urged supporters to show up at Najib's home on the morning of July 9 to show support.

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This would mean that Najib's supporters managed to raise a total of RM751,286 for his bail, excluding the two bracelets.

Donations passed to Najib on day of second instalment

On the morning of July 9, at 11:43 am, Najib arrived at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex and left less than 10 minutes later to settle the second instalment of his bail.

Accompanied by his wife, Rosmah Mansor, they were greeted by supporters at the court who chanted "Bebas Najib" (Free Najib).

Razlan was also present to hand Najib proceeds from the fundraising campaign.

Acknowledging his supporters, Najib thanked them for their efforts, telling reporters:

“These contributions means a lot to me and I wish it my highest gratitude, because it came from sincere hearts. This contribution is not something you can plan, it cannot be done as an order forcefully also, this came from their own willingness and sincerity."

Top image from Raja Petra Kamarudin Facebook