Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for charges of money laundering and abuse of power, in a landmark verdict delivered on Friday, 26 December.
The High Court found Najib guilty on all 21 counts of money laundering and four counts of abuse of power. According to the court, the former prime minister siphoned approximately 2.2 billion Malaysian ringgit from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund into his personal accounts.
Presiding Judge Collin Lawrence Sequeira stated in his ruling:
“The defence claimed that the charges against the accused were politically motivated and intended as retribution. However, the incontrovertible and comprehensive evidence presented entirely refutes this claim. The evidence clearly demonstrates that he abused his position in 1MDB and misused the powers entrusted to him.”
The prosecution argued that Najib, during his tenure as Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and chairman of 1MDB’s advisory board, had exploited his positions to divert vast sums of money into personal accounts. The court handed down sentences of 15 years for each of the four abuse-of-power charges, and five years for each of the 21 money laundering charges. All sentences are to run concurrently.
This marks the second high-profile conviction against Najib. In 2020, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison over separate corruption charges, although this was later reduced to six years. The latest verdict adds to his ongoing legal challenges and underscores Malaysia’s continuing crackdown on corruption.
Summary of Najib Razak’s Latest Sentences:
| Charge Type | Number of Counts | Sentence per Count | Total Sentence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abuse of Power | 4 | 15 years | Concurrent 15 years | Charges relate to misuse of 1MDB fund |
| Money Laundering | 21 | 5 years | Concurrent 15 years | Diversion of RM 2.2 billion from 1MDB |
| Total Sentence | — | — | 15 years | All sentences to run concurrently |
Legal analysts say the ruling is historic, not only because of the scale of the embezzlement but also due to its significance in holding a former head of government accountable. Najib’s lawyers are expected to appeal the verdict.