KUALA LUMPUR – A request by Najib Razak (former prime minister) to have his passport temporarily released so he could go to the Singapore birth of his grandchild was granted Monday by Malaysia’s Court of Appeal.

Najib was sentenced in July 2020 to 12 years’ jail for corruption and money laundering in a case linked to a multibillion-dollar scandal https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/how-malaysia-is-seeking-recover-billions-dollars-missing-1mdb-2021-05-11 at now-defunct state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Najib has denied any wrongdoing, and is currently out on bail while awaiting an appeal.

According to media reports, Najib was granted permission by court Monday to get his passport back from Oct. 20 through Nov. 22 in order to travel with his daughter. She is due to give birth in Singapore next month.

Reuters received confirmation from a prosecutor involved in Najib’s case. He did not reply to requests for comment immediately.

A lower court last week granted a similar request from Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, who is also facing graft charges https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-politics-rosmah-idUSKBN2AI087, media reported.

Najib was expelled in 2018, amid anger about allegations that $4.5 Billion was stolen from 1MDB (a state fund that he established in 2009) and some of the funds that were taken.

Following the election, dozens of charges were levelled against Najib und Rosmah. Police raids revealed millions of dollars in cash, jewellery, and handbags inside the home of the couple. Rosmah has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is still on trial.

The pair were also subject to travel bans, but it’s not clear if they have been lifted.

Najib claims that the charges against him are politically motivated, and that he was misled about the source of funds transferred to his accounts.

Minimum six countries have opened criminal probes against 1MDB, which includes Singapore.