Overview
- The Kuala Lumpur High Court delivered a guilty finding on abuse of power in the marquee 1MDB case, with rulings on additional money-laundering counts still being read.
- Najib faced four abuse-of-power charges and 21 money-laundering counts tied to about 2.2–2.3 billion ringgit allegedly diverted from 1MDB into his accounts.
- Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah dismissed the Saudi donation narrative as implausible, said Najib had an unmistakable bond with Jho Low, and indicated purported donation letters were likely forgeries.
- Sentencing will follow the full verdict, with potential prison terms of 15–20 years per charge and fines up to five times the sums involved, though penalties could be stayed during appeals.
- The ruling intensifies pressure on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition that includes UMNO, as Najib already serves a reduced prior sentence due for release in 2028 and this week lost a bid for house arrest; U.S. authorities say over $4.5 billion was looted from 1MDB.