Najib Razak Gets 12 Years Behind Bars for 1MDB Scandal
In a move that has sent shockwaves across Malaysia and beyond, former Prime Minister Najib Razak was found guilty of corruption in a landmark case that traced money from a state fund to Hollywood and the Gulf.
The Verdict
Judge Mohamad Nazlan Mohamad Ghazali handed down:
- 12‑year jail term for abuse of power.
- Four separate 10‑year sentences for criminal breach of trust and money‑laundering (all run concurrently).
- Fine of RM210 million (≈S$68 million).
Najib, now 67, will serve the jail time after his lawyers’ request to postpone the sentence and fine, but he must post extra bail and check in with the police twice a month.
What Went Wrong?
The court found that Najib illegally accepted nearly $10 million from SRC International, a former unit of the state fund. While this sum is only a sliver of the alleged misappropriated money, the broader 1MDB saga involved:
- Over $1 billion funneled into Najib’s accounts.
- An estimated $4.5 billion stolen from the fund.
- Money used to buy luxurious items—think art pieces, a superyacht—and even finance the Hollywood blockbuster “Wolf of Wall Street.”
Why This Matters
Beyond the prison bars, the conviction tests Malaysia’s determination to root out corruption. It could reshape the political landscape for months—if not years. Najib has vowed to appeal, a process that often drags on, so the final outcome might still be uncertain.
For now, the nation watches as a former leader is finally held accountable, proving that even high‑rank officials aren’t above the law.
PINK DIAMONDS
Prosecutors have also said $27 million was used to buy a pink diamond necklace for Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, and some of the money went into warchests for Najib’s election campaigns.
Former US attorney-general Jeff Sessions described the scandal as kleptocracy at its worst.
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Allegations of corruption over 1MDB have hung over Najib for more than five years. But the criminal charges came only after his election defeat in 2018 when his successor Mahathir Mohamad reopened investigations.
Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow with Singapore’s Institute of International Affairs, said the verdict was “the first time a prime minister has been convicted of essentially corruption- related charges and it testifies to the level of corruption in Malaysia”.
Politicians and others who had raised concerns about 1MDB years ago welcomed the verdict.
“All the heartbreaks were well worth it today. Well done Malaysia,” said Rafizi Ramli, a former opposition lawmaker and 1MDB whistleblower.
COALITION STRAINS
Najib’s lawyers had said he was misled by Malaysian financier Jho Low and other 1MDB officials into believing that the funds banked in his accounts were donated by the Saudi royal family. Low has denied wrongdoing.
Judge Mohamad Nazlan said it was “far-fetched” to believe Najib could have been misled by Low and asked why he never questioned Low’s claim that the money was a donation.
Before sentencing, Najib told the court he never demanded or planned for the 42 million ringgit in his account. “There has been no evidence or witnesses to say so,” he said.
Najib can remain a lawmaker but will be disqualified if his conviction stands after all legal avenues have been exhausted.
Najib’s party returned to power in February as part of an alliance led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who on Tuesday said the government respected the verdict and was committed to the rule of law.
Sources said this week a guilty verdict could prompt Najib’s camp to withdraw support for the government, which has a razor-thin majority.
Najib Razak1MDBCorruption
