Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak has been convicted in his second major trial related to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, a multi-billion-dollar state fund embezzlement case.
The 72-year-old leader was found guilty of four charges of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering, involving nearly 2.3 billion Malaysian ringgit ($569m; £422m) misappropriated from the sovereign wealth fund.
The verdict, delivered in Putrajaya after seven years of legal proceedings and testimony from 76 witnesses, adds to Najib’s legal troubles. His sentence is still pending.
Najib Already in Prison for Previous 1MDB Conviction
Najib is already serving time in prison for an earlier 1MDB-related case, where he was convicted in 2020 for abuse of power, money laundering, and breach of trust concerning 42 million ringgit ($10m; £7.7m) transferred from SRC International, a 1MDB unit, into his personal accounts. His original 12-year sentence was later reduced by half.
The latest conviction concerns a larger sum of money, also linked to 1MDB, deposited in Najib’s account in 2013. Najib claimed it was a donation from the late Saudi King Abdullah, a defense rejected by the court.
Global Implications of the 1MDB Scandal
The 1MDB scandal, which first came to light over a decade ago, shook Malaysia and gained international attention, involving prominent figures, banks like Goldman Sachs, and even Hollywood personalities. Investigators estimate that $4.5bn was syphoned from the sovereign wealth fund into private accounts, including Najib’s.
Najib’s lawyers argue that he was misled by advisers, particularly financier Jho Low, who remains at large, but Malaysian courts have repeatedly rejected these claims.
Political Fallout in Malaysia
The scandal significantly impacted Malaysian politics, contributing to the historic 2018 election loss for Najib’s Barisan Nasional coalition, which had governed the country since independence in 1957.
The recent verdict has intensified tensions within Malaysia’s ruling coalition, including Najib’s United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for respect for judicial rulings, while critics argue the case highlights ongoing challenges in combating corruption.
Former lawmaker Tony Pua stated that the verdict “sends a message that even a prime minister can be held accountable for corruption.”
Meanwhile, Cynthia Gabriel, director of the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism, cautioned that Malaysia still faces systemic issues, warning that “grand corruption continues in different forms” and that the risk of another 1MDB-like scandal remains.
Najib’s Supporters and Family
Despite his convictions, Najib maintains a loyal following. On Friday, supporters gathered outside the Putrajaya court during his trial. Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, previously sentenced to ten years for bribery in 2022, remains free on bail pending appeal.
