A Malaysian High Court has sentenced former Prime Minister Najib Razak to 15 years in prison and imposed a staggering fine of 11.3 billion Malaysian ringgits (approximately $2.7 billion USD) after convicting him on four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering linked to the multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. The verdict, delivered on December 27, 2025, by Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah, relates to the misappropriation of 2.3 billion ringgits ($568 million) from the sovereign wealth fund.
The court ordered the prison term to commence in 2028, allowing Najib to complete his ongoing six-year sentence stemming from a separate conviction involving SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary. Najib, 72, is currently incarcerated at Kajang Prison in Selangor state.
This latest conviction marks another chapter in one of the world's largest financial scandals, where Malaysian and U.S. authorities allege approximately $4.5 billion was siphoned from 1MDB between 2009 and 2014 through an elaborate international scheme involving shell companies, luxury assets, and high-profile figures. Funds were allegedly used for extravagant purchases, including yachts, jewelry, art, and even financing Hollywood films like The Wolf of Wall Street.
Najib, who served as Malaysia's prime minister from 2009 to 2018, has faced multiple trials over his role in the scandal. In July 2020, he was first convicted on seven charges—including criminal breach of trust, abuse of power, and money laundering—related to 42 million ringgits ($10 million) illegally transferred from SRC International to his personal accounts. That case resulted in a 12-year sentence, later halved to six years in 2024 following a controversial partial pardon by the Malaysian Pardons Board, reportedly influenced by the then-King.
In July 2025, Najib's application to serve the remainder of his SRC sentence under house arrest was rejected by the High Court, with judges ruling insufficient evidence of a royal addendum granting such privilege.
The December 27 ruling covers the main 1MDB trial, where Najib faced 25 charges. Prosecutors presented evidence of billions flowing through accounts linked to him, including direct deposits from entities associated with fugitive financier Jho Low, widely regarded as the scandal's mastermind. Despite Najib's denials—claiming he was misled by advisors and unaware of illicit sources—the court found overwhelming proof of his involvement and benefit from the proceeds.
The 11.3 billion ringgit fine—one of the largest ever imposed in Malaysia—reflects the scale of recovered or traced assets, with authorities seeking restitution for public losses. If unpaid, it could extend Najib's imprisonment significantly.
Najib's legal team has indicated plans to appeal, maintaining his innocence and framing the cases as politically motivated following his ouster in the 2018 election amid public outrage over 1MDB revelations. Supporters view him as a victim of selective prosecution, while critics hail the convictions as accountability milestones.
The scandal triggered global repercussions: U.S. authorities recovered over $1 billion in assets, Goldman Sachs paid $3.9 billion in settlements for its role in underwriting 1MDB bonds, and several associates—including bankers and Low—face charges or convictions abroad.
As Najib's cumulative sentences mount, the verdict reinforces Malaysia's efforts to restore governance integrity post-scandal, though debates persist over the pardon and perceived leniency.
