Overview
- Malaysia’s High Court found Najib guilty on four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering tied to roughly 2.2–2.28 billion ringgit from 1MDB.
- Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah rejected the ‘Arab donation’ defense, cited an “unmistakable bond” with fugitive financier Jho Low, and said purported donation letters were likely forged.
- The court ordered a 15-year term with sentences running concurrently within this case, to begin after Najib’s existing sentence, plus a 13.5 billion ringgit fine with up to 10 additional years if unpaid.
- Najib’s legal team said they will appeal, maintaining he was misled and treated unfairly, while the ruling follows a separate decision this week denying his bid for home detention.
- Investigators estimate about $4.5 billion was siphoned from 1MDB through international channels, with the scandal spawning global probes, asset recoveries and high-profile settlements, including with Goldman Sachs.