The Kuala Lumpur High Court convicted former Prime Minister Najib Razak on December 26, 2025. Judges sentenced him to 15 years in prison for abuse of power and five years for money laundering. These terms run concurrently, adding to his current sentence.
Moreover the court fined him $2.8 billion. Najib showed no emotion as officials read the ruling. He remains in custody while his team prepares an appeal.
Description of Charges
Prosecutors charged Najib with misusing billions from the 1MDB state fund. They proved he abused his position to launder money through complex schemes. The evidence included bank records and witness testimonies.
Further he was also allegedly involved in the purchase of luxury items using stolen funds. The court declared him guilty on all charges. This is a major victory in the anti-corruption campaign in Malaysia.
Scandal Background
Najib established 1MDB in 2009 with the purpose of stimulating economic growth. However the fund was soon saddled with enormous debt.
International investigations were launched in 2015, leading to the discovery of a fraud involving more than $4.5 billion. Consequently several of his accomplices were arrested. At first, Najib denied any involvement in the fraud.
Prior Legal Battles
Courts sentenced Najib in 2022 in a connected 1MDB trial. Initially the sentence involved 12 years in prison. This was cut to six years. Najib started serving his sentence in August 2022.
Also this new sentence adds to his imprisonment. The appeals have prevented full accountability until now. The aggregate sentence may see him spend decades in jail
Reactions from Public
Most citizens hailed the sentence as serving justice. Anti-corruption movements rejoiced over the sentencing. However supporters of former premier Najib showed up in large numbers outside the court in protest. Party politicians argued that the trial had been unfair. Experts have observed an increase in tensions in Malaysian politics.
Future Scenarios
Najib has vowed that he will contest the arrest order at higher courts. The case also reinforces graft reforms. It can also influence voter decisions in forthcoming elections.
In conclusion, this development marks the end of a chapter in one of the biggest scandals that have happened in Asia. Malaysia is moving on with renewed emphasis on transparency.
