KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 8): Former Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said his cousin and ex-Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's second round of criminal charges in line with the rule of law but hopes that he gets a fair trial in court.

"It is the process that goes through. I just hope that the process is fair and that he has a fair trial and say in proceedings," Hishammuddin told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

This morning, 65-year-old Najib pleaded not guilty to three counts of money laundering offences related to RM42 million that was the transferred from 1Malaysia Development Bhd's ex-subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd.

The charges brought by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) are in addition to four graft and abuse of power charges by the authority relating to SRC International, on July 4.

Today's charges are based on Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

When asked if he felt the charges were politically motivated, Hishammuddin said it was not for him to say.

"We will have to see how the proceedings go through and it has to be based on the rule of law," he added.