25 counts of abuse of office and money laundering/Former Malaysian PM found guilty in state funds scandal

2025-12-26 10:57:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

25 counts of abuse of office and money laundering/Former Malaysian PM found

A Malaysian court has convicted former Prime Minister Najib Razak of abuse of power and money laundering, in his second major trial over a multi-billion dollar state funds scandal.

Najib, 72, was accused of embezzling nearly 2.3 billion Malaysian ringgit ($569 million) from the country's sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). A judge found him guilty of four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering, and his sentence has yet to be handed down.

The former prime minister is already in prison after being convicted years ago in a separate case related to the country's sovereign wealth fund. Friday's ruling comes after seven years of legal proceedings, during which 76 witnesses were called.

The ruling, handed down in Malaysia's administrative capital, Putrajaya, is the second blow in the same week to the former leader, who has been imprisoned since 2022. On Monday, the court rejected his request to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

But the former prime minister maintains a loyal base of supporters who claim he is the victim of unfair decisions and who have shown up at his trials demanding his release. Dozens of people gathered outside the courthouse in Putrajaya in support of Najib.

The 1MDB scandal made headlines around the world when it came to light a decade ago, involving prominent figures from Malaysia to Goldman Sachs and Hollywood. Investigators estimated that $4.5 billion flowed from the state-owned wealth fund into private pockets, including Najib's.

The scandal has had profound consequences for Malaysian politics. In 2018, it led to a historic election defeat for Najib's Barisan Nasional coalition, which had governed the country since its independence in 1957.

Now, the latest rulings have exposed divisions in Malaysia's ruling coalition, which includes Najib's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party. Najib's failed bid for house arrest on Monday was met with disappointment by his allies but celebrated by his critics within the same coalition.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on politicians from all sides to respect the court's rulings. /CNA