Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was found guilty on July 28 of all seven charges in the 1MDB trial.

Najib supporters gathered outside court

Prior to the verdict, about a thousand of Najib's supporters had gathered outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

They were mostly dressed in red and blue, the colours of United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and Barisan Nasional (BN).

Najib was the former president of UMNO, the leading party in Malaysia's BN coalition.

According to New Straits Times (NST), about 20 buses of supporters had made their way to the court.

Some of them arrived as early as 6:30am.

Videos and pictures of the supporters were posted on social media.

Here was the crowd situation at around 9am on July 28, before Najib arrived.

9 pagi: Beberapa penyokong Datuk Seri Najib Razak melaungkan slogan ‘bossku’ sebagai tanda solidariti terhadap bekas Perdana Menteri itu. pic.twitter.com/aeEDVGvJbS

— Berita Harian (@bharianmy) July 28, 2020

Najib’s supporters thronged the KL court complex, eagerly awaiting the verdict of the first graft trial against ex prime minister linked to state fund 1MDB https://t.co/b3zJ1WW032 pic.twitter.com/oCebjH1HH4

— Melissa Goh (@MelGohCNA) July 28, 2020

JUST IN: About 300-400 supporters of DS Mohd Najib Razak gather at the KL High Court to witness the verdict of SRC International case today. They are not allowed to enter the court complex. pic.twitter.com/dJi0VqihVX

— The Malaysian Reserve (@TMReserve) July 28, 2020

At around 10am, Najib arrived.

A large number of Najib's supporters have gathered at the court complex, shouting "Bossku". BFM News spotted up to 50 people are dressed in red, in solidarity with the former prime minister.

Najib was also accompanied by BN's Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan. pic.twitter.com/JvTjhOXN2A

— BFM News (@NewsBFM) July 28, 2020

67 yr old Najib Razak has arrived as supporters cheered . Many are kept outside Duta court complex as only those with valid passes are allowed in. Social distancing is non existence . Many aren’t even wearing masks 😷 #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/Vvex7331u7

— Melissa Goh (@MelGohCNA) July 28, 2020

Interestingly, Najib’s supporters outside the KL High Court are chanting “bubar parlimen” (dissolve parliament). While the convictions today mean that the Pekan MP can retain his seat till all appeals are exhausted, he will NOT be able to contest if snap polls are called. pic.twitter.com/pSAUg1TCZX

— Pamella (@pamellalah) July 28, 2020

Lack of social distancing

A number of netizens voiced their concerns over the lack of social distancing within the crowd.

Politik tu politik la juga. Harap YB @IsmailSabri60 dan @DGHisham tegur sikit mereka yang tak ikut SOP KKM dan tak amalkan social distancing di Mahkamah KL pagi ini pic.twitter.com/RLEJ3rFLsK

— Asrul Muzaffar🇲🇾 (@asrulmm) July 28, 2020

Translation:

"Politics is politics. But I hope @IsmailSabri60 and @DGHisham can advise those who are not following the social distancing SOPs at KL court this morning."

Translation:

"Is Covid-19 taking a vacation today?"

I legit calling this as cluster Najib. Such a plain stupid. Risk the life in the middle of pandemic just for RM40 and for Najib?????? Omg sanggupnya, I really wants this COVID to be gone for good but I- 😩 https://t.co/35bctgyCQy

— 🫶🏻 (@ysfrhzl) July 28, 2020

Mohon kerajaan mengambil tindakan yang tegas atas apa yang berlaku ini. Kesian Frontliners kita berjuang dan berhempas pulas dalam memastikan kesihatan rakyat terjamin.

Penat guru-guru di sekolah ajar anak-anak penjarakkan sosial & menjaga SOP agar anak berdisiplin.#mfo pic.twitter.com/THN5eUCSt1

— Mohd Fadhli (@miqdad_al_amr) July 28, 2020

Translation:

"I hope the government will take strict actions against what is happening. I pity the frontliners who are working hard to make sure the country remains safe and healthy. Teachers have also worked hard to educate their students on social distancing and the necessary SOPs."

Given police warnings

A police Light Strike Force (LSF) unit and K9 unit were deployed to guard the court's entrance, reported NST.

The police had also given multiple warnings to the supporters to maintain social distancing.

According to a video by The Star, the police drove around and used loud hailers to warn the supporters to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the recovery movement control order (MCO).

Malaysia's health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah has also responded to the crowd situation.

Sudah terang lagi bersuluh setiap hari Kementerian Kesihatan mengingatkan rakyat Malaysia untuk patuh kepada SOP untuk penjarakan selamat sekurang-kurangnya 1 meter, memakai pelitup separuh muka dan kerap cuci tangan. Sedih bila melihat keadaan begini tiada kawalan kendiri.

— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) July 28, 2020

He said in his tweet:

"The Ministry of Health has made it clear every day by reminding Malaysians to adhere to the SOP. They must maintain at least a one-metre distance from one another, wear a face mask, and wash their hands regularly. It is saddening to see this situation going out of control."

Top images from @asrulmm/Twitter.