Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been convicted in his second major legal case tied to the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal, a ruling that marks another critical chapter in Malaysia’s long-running fight against corruption. The Kuala Lumpur High Court delivered the verdict on Friday, finding Najib, 72, guilty on all 21 counts of money laundering and four counts of abuse of power, relating to the illicit transfer of 2.2 billion Malaysian ringgit (approximately $539 million) from the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund into his personal accounts.
Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah dismissed Najib’s defense claims that the charges were politically motivated or a “witch hunt,” citing what he described as clear and incontrovertible evidence linking the former leader to misuse of his office. Each conviction carries a potential prison term ranging from 15 to 20 years, though the formal sentencing is yet to be announced.
Prosecutors argued that Najib exploited his roles as prime minister, finance minister, and chairman of the 1MDB advisory board to orchestrate the large-scale diversion of state funds to his accounts over a decade ago. The latest conviction comes after Najib’s first high-profile 1MDB trial in 2020, which resulted in a 12-year prison sentence for misappropriating about $9.9 million. That sentence was later reduced to six years.
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This second trial, widely regarded as the most consequential, focused on much larger sums directly involving 1MDB entities. The proceedings, which have stretched over seven years, included testimony from 76 witnesses, including Najib himself. Legal analysts have described the case as highly complex, highlighting the layered financial transactions and international connections involved.
Najib, who apologized last year for mishandling the 1MDB scandal, maintained in court that he had been misled by fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, wanted by Interpol since 2016. However, Judge Sequerah noted compelling evidence of Najib’s “unmistakable bond” with Low, who allegedly acted as a proxy and intermediary in the transfers. The court also rejected Najib’s argument that some of the funds were “donations” from the Saudi royal family.
The 1MDB scandal, which erupted in 2015, was a turning point in Malaysian politics, contributing to the historic defeat of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in 2018 after six decades in power. Despite the conviction, Najib retains popularity among segments of the population, and analysts warn that the ruling could test the stability of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government, given UMNO’s coalition role.
Observers describe the verdict as a crucial measure of Malaysia’s judicial independence and political accountability. “This case is a test not only of the judiciary but of the political will to hold powerful figures accountable, even when the party involved remains influential within the government,” said Bridget Welsh, an honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute. The ruling sets the stage for sentencing and potential appeals, with broader implications for anti-corruption efforts and governance in Malaysia.