Malaysia’s former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was found guilty on Friday of abuse of power and money laundering in the most significant trial yet tied to the multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal — a legal and political earthquake that underscores the nation’s long struggle with corruption at the highest levels of government.
Verdict Delivered in High-Profile Corruption Case
In a packed courtroom at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex, the High Court convicted the 72-year-old former leader on four counts of abuse of power for illegally transferring billions of ringgit from the state-linked 1MDB fund into accounts linked to him. Prosecutors described the figure involved as more than 2.3 billion ringgit (about $569 million) — funds Najib allegedly siphoned while serving as prime minister, finance minister and chairman of 1MDB’s advisory board.
The judge, Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, ruled that the prosecution had proven its case “beyond reasonable doubt,” dismissing claims that the case was politically motivated and rejecting Najib’s assertion that the money came from legitimate political donations.
While the full verdict and sentencing process continued at the time of reporting, legal analysts note that convictions on the abuse of power charges alone carry potential prison terms of 15 to 20 years per count and fines up to five times the value of misappropriated funds.
Background: The 1MDB Scandal’s Long Shadow
The conviction stems from the broader 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal, widely acknowledged as one of the most sprawling cases of state-linked embezzlement in modern history. Established in 2009, 1MDB was intended as a sovereign wealth vehicle to spur economic development. However, investigations by Malaysian and international authorities later revealed that at least $4.5 billion was misappropriated through complex offshore transactions and opaque financial structures.
Najib, who led the country from 2009 to 2018, had already been convicted in a separate 1MDB-related case in 2020. He received a 12-year prison sentence for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money-laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit from 1MDB’s SRC International unit, though his sentence was halved by a pardons board in 2024.
Court Rejects Defence Claims
During the 2025 trial, Najib maintained he had been misled by officials at 1MDB and by fugitive financier Low Taek Jho (Jho Low), portraying the so-called “donations” as legitimate political contributions, including from Middle Eastern sources. The judge flatly rejected this defence, describing the letters supporting the donation claims as “forgeries” and finding clear evidence that the funds originated from 1MDB.
Judge Sequerah noted the depth of Najib’s control over the fund, stating the prosecution’s evidence undercut the notion that Najib was merely a passive participant. Prosecutors had also shown an “unmistakable bond and connection” between Najib and Low, who remains at large and is wanted by authorities in multiple jurisdictions.
Political and Social Ramifications
The verdict is widely seen as a litmus test for Malaysia’s judicial independence and commitment to accountability, especially given Najib’s stature as a once-dominant political figure whose United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) led Malaysia’s government for decades.
Public reaction has been deeply divided. Supporters of Najib — some of whom gathered outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya with banners calling for his release — see the case as politically charged, while anti-corruption advocates and civil society groups hail the conviction as a landmark victory against high-level graft.
Analysts say the outcome could shape Malaysian politics for years, particularly as the scandal was a defining issue in the 2018 election that unseated Najib’s long-entrenched government for the first time since independence.
Najib’s Legal Battles and Next Steps
Najib is expected to appeal the verdict, a path frequently pursued in major Malaysian cases. However, legal experts caution that appeal outcomes can be unpredictable and time-consuming, potentially extending proceedings for months or even years.
In addition to the abuse of power convictions, Najib also faces money-laundering charges tied to the 1MDB funds. Although the judge had yet to complete reading the full verdict on the 21 money-laundering counts at the time of reporting, the prosecution appeared poised to argue that these remain integral to understanding the full scope of financial wrongdoing.
International Impact of the 1MDB Saga
The 1MDB scandal sent shockwaves far beyond Malaysia’s borders, prompting investigations and settlements in the United States, Singapore, Switzerland and beyond. Global financial institutions, including major banks that helped raise funds for 1MDB bond sales, faced hefty fines, and law enforcement agencies worldwide traced illicit flows through complex networks.
The conviction reinforces international efforts to clamp down on systemic corruption and money-laundering, and it underscores how transnational financial crimes can have profound political and reputational costs.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Malaysia’s Rule of Law
Najib Razak’s conviction in this latest and largest 1MDB trial represents a defining moment in Malaysia’s pursuit of accountability at the highest echelons of power. While the legal process continues and implications unfold, the verdict sends a clear message about the reach of Malaysia’s judiciary and the enduring consequences of corruption scandals that have reshaped the nation’s politics and international standing.
