Speaking in Jakarta, he also urged everyone not to pass judgement on Najib before a thorough investigation was completed into the financial affairs of government-owned SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Investigations would be conducted in a fair and independent manner.

But he also said: “To him (Najib), (this is) my advice, find a good defence counsel,” Bernama reported from Jakarta.

For the past week, police and anti-corruption officers have been carrying out investigations into corruption and money-laundering allegations surrounding 1MDB and SRC International, and money linked to 1MDB which had reportedly flowed through personal bank accounts held in Najib’s name.

Anwar was in Jakarta today on the 20th anniversary of the KKN Reformasi democracy movement which led to the downfall of long-serving Indonesian president Suharto.

Suharto was succeeded by Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, with whom Anwar held a meeting today.