The wife of Malaysia's ex-leader was Wednesday hit with a new corruption charge, the 20th since her husband's shock election loss, and complained she was the victim of "slander".

A Malaysian court on Monday postponed the corruption trial of former prime minister Najib Razak over charges related to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB pending an appeal, his lawyer said.

Fallen Malaysian leader Najib Razak is being questioned over the purchase of two French-made submarines, an official told AFP Tuesday, the latest probe to engulf the former prime minister since his government's ousting.

Malaysia's former leader Najib Razak and two of his allies will face corruption charges Thursday, as authorities target a growing list of figures linked to the scandal-plagued old regime.

Najib Razak pleaded not guilty to all counts, which represented the most serious in a string of charges he has faced over the alleged looting of state fund 1MDB.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will face charges of abusing his position and graft related to money allegedly siphoned off from state fund 1MDB.

Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, have been barred from leaving the country after his decade in power ended in a shock election defeat in May.

It was the latest pledge by the country's new reformist leaders to roll back repressive legislation introduced by scandal-hit ex-premier Najib Razak.

1Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB as it is known, is at the centre of money laundering investigations in at least six countries.

The United Malays National Organisation (Umno) has governed the country for more than 60 years.

Authorities are investigating Najib as part of their probe into how billions of dollars went missing from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which was founded by the former premier.

A former aide to disgraced Malaysian ex-prime minister Najib Razak has been arrested in connection to the 1MDB corruption scandal, local media reported.