Former Malaysia PM vows to 'fight for justice'

Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak has taken to Facebook vowing to "confront allegations" of his involvement in a multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal "with grit".

"By the permission of God, as I fought for the rights of the people, I will fight for justice for myself to prove I am innocent of these charges," Najib wrote.

Najib pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to three counts of criminal breach of trust and one charge of abuse of power related to a long-running graft investigation involving the state development fund 1MDB.

He was released on bail on Wednesday.

"Throughout my 42-year career, my struggle has always been for my people and my party. If this persecution is the price I have to pay for my struggle, for the sake of the nation's prosperity, for the people's welfare, I am prepared to go through this," he wrote on Thursday.

DPA