“Do not prejudge the matter before the courts have given their verdict, and do not shame him before he is punished for any offence,” he told reporters at the lobby of the Kuala Lumpur Courts complex here today.

“The problem is, he is being judged by the media,” he added.

Asyraf also urged the people to adhere to the principle that an individual should not be deemed guilty until a verdict has been reached.

Najib has been charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust and one charge of abuse of power in relation to the transfer of RM42 million to his private bank account from SRC International Sdn Bhd.

He has pleaded not guilty to all four charges, which carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years each. The abuse of power charge carries a fine of not less than five times the value of gratification.