Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison Over State Funds Scandal

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty in a major corruption case linked to the multibillion dollar 1MDB state funds scandal, marking another decisive moment in one of the country’s most serious political and financial scandals.

Najib, who is 72, was convicted on Friday of multiple counts including abuse of power and money laundering. The court found that he had misappropriated nearly 2.3 billion Malaysian ringgit from the country’s sovereign wealth fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad, in what prosecutors described as a systematic abuse of his position while in office.

The judge ruled that Najib was guilty on four charges related to abuse of power and 21 charges of money laundering, concluding a lengthy trial that examined complex financial transactions and the former leader’s direct involvement in the misuse of public funds. The sentence was handed down on Friday afternoon following months of testimony and legal arguments.

Najib, who served as Malaysia’s prime minister from 2009 to 2018, has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintains that he was unaware of the source of the funds that flowed into his personal accounts. His defence has argued that he was misled by advisers and financial intermediaries, claims that prosecutors rejected as implausible given his authority and oversight role.

This latest conviction adds to Najib’s existing prison term. He is already serving a sentence after being found guilty several years ago in another case also connected to the 1MDB scandal. That earlier conviction made him the first former Malaysian prime minister to be jailed, a historic moment in the country’s legal and political history.

The 1MDB scandal, which came to light more than a decade ago, involved the alleged looting of billions of dollars from the state fund and sparked investigations in multiple countries. Funds were traced through an international web of bank accounts and luxury purchases, drawing global attention and damaging Malaysia’s reputation abroad.

Anti corruption advocates in Malaysia have welcomed the ruling, saying it reinforces the principle that no one is above the law. They argue the verdict sends a strong message about accountability and the independence of the judiciary, even when powerful political figures are involved.

Najib’s supporters, however, continue to claim he has been treated unfairly and say the cases against him are politically motivated. His legal team is expected to pursue further appeals.

As Malaysia continues to grapple with the legacy of the 1MDB scandal, the latest verdict represents another step in a long process of reckoning with corruption and restoring public trust in national institutions.