Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of money laundering and abuse of power related to the high-profile 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. The ruling was delivered by a judge in Putrajaya, Malaysia's administrative capital, following a lengthy legal process that spanned over seven years.

Najib, 72, was found guilty on four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering, concerning nearly 2.3 billion Malaysian ringgit (approximately $569 million or £422 million) that were misappropriated from the sovereign wealth fund. The trial featured testimony from 76 witnesses, including Najib himself.

The verdict marks a significant moment in Malaysia's ongoing struggle with corruption, especially in light of the extensive fallout from the 1MDB scandal, which has implicated numerous high-profile figures internationally, including bankers and celebrities. Investigators estimate that around $4.5 billion was siphoned off from the fund.

This sentencing is Najib's second major conviction related to the scandal. He is already serving a 12-year prison sentence from a previous case involving 42 million ringgit (about $10 million) transferred to his personal accounts from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB. His earlier sentence was reduced last year.

As per Malaysian law, the 15-year sentences for the abuse of power and money laundering charges will run concurrently. However, Najib's legal team had sought to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, a request that was rejected by the court earlier this week.

Despite his legal troubles, Najib continues to maintain a base of supporters who argue he is the victim of political persecution. On the day of the verdict, a group of his supporters gathered outside the court, voicing their calls for his release.

The 1MDB scandal first came to light in 2015, leading to the downfall of Najib's Barisan Nasional coalition in the 2018 elections, which ended the party's 61-year rule in Malaysia. The scandal has since triggered calls for reform and greater accountability within Malaysian political institutions.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged all political parties to respect the judiciary's decision, highlighting the need for integrity in governance. Former lawmaker Tony Pua remarked that the ruling sends a clear message that no one is above the law, emphasising the importance of accountability for leaders.

Critics, however, argue that while the trials of Najib and others are steps in the right direction, Malaysia's anti-corruption efforts have yet to show significant progress. Cynthia Gabriel, director of the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism, stated that public institutions remain fragile and that the potential for further corruption persists in the political landscape.

As Najib's legal saga continues with potential appeals on the horizon, the implications of this case are expected to reverberate through Malaysian politics for years to come.