Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak jailed 15 years for abuse of power and money laundering in 1MDB scandal, deepening political impact.

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Najib Razak Jailed 15 Years for Abuse of Power and Money Laundering in 1MDB Scandal

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for abuse of power and money laundering, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia’s ongoing pursuit of justice in the massive 1MDB corruption scandal.

Details of the 1MDB Scandal and Najib’s Convictions

Najib Razak, aged 72, was found guilty on four charges of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering. He reportedly misappropriated nearly 2.3 billion Malaysian ringgit ($569 million; £422 million) from the country’s sovereign wealth fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Trial and Sentencing

• Seven years of legal proceedings, involving 76 witnesses.
• Verdict delivered in Putrajaya, Malaysia’s administrative capital.
• Four 15-year sentences for abuse of power, five years for each money laundering charge—sentences served concurrently under Malaysian law.
• Najib is already serving a sentence from a previous conviction related to 1MDB.

Global Impact and Continuing Investigations

The 1MDB scandal has made international headlines, implicating high-profile figures and institutions worldwide, from financial firms like Goldman Sachs to figures in Hollywood.

• Investigators estimate $4.5 billion was siphoned from 1MDB’s coffers.
• Najib said he believed the funds in his personal accounts were Saudi donations—a claim the court rejected.
• Financier Jho Low, a key figure accused by Najib’s lawyers, remains at large but denies wrongdoing (U.S. Department of Justice).

This case follows Najib’s 2020 conviction over 42 million ringgit transferred to his private accounts from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit. Although sentenced to 12 years in that trial, his jail term was halved in 2023.

The Verdict’s Impact on Malaysian Politics

The outcome of Najib Razak’s second major trial has deepened divisions within Malaysia’s political scene. In 2018, revelations from the 1MDB scandal led to an unprecedented election defeat for Najib’s coalition, Barisan Nasional, ending 60 years of rule.

• Najib’s loyal supporters continued to rally at court hearings, denouncing the verdicts as unfair.
• The latest judgment has exposed rifts in Malaysia’s ruling coalition, which still includes Najib’s party United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
• Rejection of Najib’s house arrest bid caused disappointment among allies and was welcomed by critics.
• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for all parties to respect the independent court decision.

Anti-Corruption Efforts and Ongoing Concerns

While some view Najib’s conviction as a signal to political elites, others criticize the pace of reform.

“Grand corruption continues in different forms. We don’t know if another 1MDB could occur, or may have already occurred,” said Cynthia Gabriel, director of Malaysia’s Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism.

Public institutions, she argues, have yet to ensure politicians prioritize citizens’ interests above their own. Former MP Tony Pua told the BBC that the verdict sends a clear message: “You can get caught for corruption even if you’re number one in the country like the prime minister.”

Repercussions for Najib’s Family

Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, was also convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail for bribery in 2022. She remains free on bail pending her appeal.

Learn More

For more context on how Malaysia has addressed high-profile corruption cases, explore our article on Malaysia’s anti-corruption measures post-1MDB.

Read more from the BBC’s comprehensive report.