Archive · 27 Dec 2025
Najib Razak Convicted in 1MDB Scandal
Najib Razak, a former Prime Minister of Malaysia, was found guilty of abuse of power and corruption in a big financial scandal called 1MDB.
The court said he took a lot of money from a state fund and lied about where it came from.
Najib says he was tricked by other people, but the judge didn't believe him.
He could go to jail for a long time.
This decision has caused some political tension in Malaysia.
Najib has been in prison since 2022 for another case related to the same scandal.
The judge said there was a strong connection between Najib and a fugitive financier named Jho Low, who was involved in the scandal.
The verdict could affect the current government's stability.
Najib Razak was found guilty of abuse of power and corruption in the 1MDB scandal.
He was charged with four counts of corruption and 21 counts of money laundering for receiving illegal transfers of over 2.3 billion ringgit.
The judge dismissed Najib's claim that the funds were donations from the Saudi royal family, calling it implausible.
Najib could face maximum jail terms of between 15 and 20 years on each charge, as well as significant fines.
The verdict has reignited political tensions within Malaysia's current government.
- Who
- Najib Razak, former Malaysian Prime Minister
- What
- Found guilty of abuse of power and corruption in the 1MDB scandal
- When
- December 26, 2024
- Where
- Malaysia
- Why
- For receiving illegal transfers of over 2.3 billion ringgit from 1MDB
Prosecution
Najib Razak
Source of Funds
Prosecution
The funds were derived from 1MDB and not from Saudi royal donations as claimed by Najib.
Najib Razak
Najib claims he was misled by Jho Low and other officials into believing the funds were donations from the Saudi royal family.
Motivation Behind Charges
Prosecution
The charges are based on extensive evidence of abuse of power and corruption.
Najib Razak
Najib has consistently denied wrongdoing, claiming the charges are politically motivated and a witch hunt.
- Defendant
- Najib Razak
- Charges
- Four counts of corruption, 21 counts of money laundering
- Amount Involved
- 2.3 billion ringgit ($569.45 million)
- Maximum Sentence
- 15 to 20 years per charge, plus fines
- Current Status
- In prison since August 2022
- Previous Sentence
- 12-year jail sentence halved by a pardons board
- Judge
- Collin Lawrence Sequerah
- Key Figure
- Jho Low (fugitive financier)
Sources
Explained: 1MDB, Malaysia's Massive Financial Scandal Involving Goldman Sachs
Malaysia Judge Says Ex-PM Najib No ‘Bumpkin’ in Key 1MDB Verdict
Najib Razak Found Guilty of Abuse of Power in 1MDB Fraud Trial Involving 2.2 Billion Ringgit
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak convicted in trial over 1MDB corruption scandal
Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak Convicted in Trial Over 1MDB Corruption Scandal
Setback to Malaysia's jailed ex-PM Najib Razak in 1MDB scam, found guilty of abuse of power
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak Convicted in Trial Over 1MDB Corruption Scandal
Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib Razak held guilty of abuse of power in 1MDB trial, full verdict pending
Former PM Najib Razak found guilty in multibillion-dollar state funds scandal
Najib Razak in more trouble! 15 year imprisonment, $3.3bn fine for jailed former Malaysian PM in 1MDB corruption trial
What’s the 1MDB scam in which ex-Malaysian PM Najib Razak has been found guilty?
