A Malaysian court on Friday delivered another major ruling against former Prime Minister Najib Razak, sentencing him to 15 years in prison after he was found guilty of several charges connected to the massive 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal.
The court concluded that Najib abused his authority while in office and engaged in money laundering involving funds linked to the state investment fund, which was originally established to drive economic development in the country.
According to the judgment:
Najib received 15 years for each of the four counts of abuse of power
He was also given five years each for 21 money laundering charges
However, the court ruled that all the sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of 15 years behind bars rather than the cumulative maximum.
This new sentencing adds to Najib’s existing jail term.
Najib, now 72 years old, has been incarcerated since August 2022 after an earlier conviction in a separate phase of the sprawling 1MDB investigations. The scandal triggered international probes, with allegations that billions of dollars were siphoned from the state fund into private accounts, luxury purchases, and political activities.
The 1MDB fund was launched in 2009, during Najib’s time as prime minister, and has since become one of the most high-profile corruption cases in the world, involving authorities in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Despite multiple convictions, Najib has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he did not personally benefit from the transactions flagged by investigators. His legal team has continually argued that the former leader was misled by financial advisers and associates who manipulated the fund for personal gain.
The latest verdict strengthens Malaysia’s push toward accountability in public office and reinforces the judiciary’s role in handling corruption cases involving powerful political figures. Analysts say the case remains a significant moment for the country’s justice system and anti-corruption efforts.
More legal proceedings related to 1MDB are still ongoing, meaning Najib could face additional rulings in the future.
