Najib, who himself has been slapped with 32 criminal charges, arrived at about 9.15am and was seen leaving the court room at 9.45am while the charges were being read out.

He joined other Umno personalities including Supreme Council members Ahmad Maslan and Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, deputy president Mohamad Hassan and vice-president Khaled Nordin.

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa, vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Wanita chief Noraini Ahmad were also seen.

They were among some 500 Umno supporters who had gathered outside the court compound since 7am.

Zahid was arrested yesterday afternoon, shortly after surrendering at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Putrajaya.

He was being investigated over the alleged abuse of funds in relation to his family-run foundation, Yayasan Akal Budi.