Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak Sentenced to 15 More Years in 1MDB Case
Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak Sentenced to 15 More Years in 1MDB Case
LN24 / 2 minutes
December 26, 2025
2 min read
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was sentenced to an additional 15 years in prison and fined $2.8 billion for abuse of power and money laundering in the largest trial linked to the 1MDB state fund scandal. Investigators in Malaysia and abroad say at least $4.5 billion was misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad, which Najib co-founded in 2009. Over $1 billion allegedly ended up in accounts tied to Najib, who is already serving a separate sentence from an earlier 1MDB case.
During the five-hour verdict, the court rejected Najib’s claims that he was misled by 1MDB officials, stating the evidence showed he had a clear connection to key figures involved. He was found guilty on all counts of abuse of power and money laundering, with sentences to be served concurrently after his current term ends in 2028. Najib’s lawyer has said he will appeal.
The ruling could affect political dynamics within the governing coalition, as Najib retains influence in his party despite imprisonment. Funds from 1MDB were reportedly used to acquire luxury assets and finance entertainment projects abroad. Najib has maintained that some funds were donations from foreign sources, but the court deemed these claims implausible. Authorities described the verdict as the result of a long and complex investigation involving multiple jurisdictions.
