Najib Razak Found Guilty in 1MDB Scandal

In a landmark ruling, former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been declared guilty in his second significant trial connected to the notorious 1MDB sovereign wealth fund scandal. The Kuala Lumpur High Court delivered the verdict, which addressed multiple allegations of financial misconduct involving vast sums of money.

Details of the Trial

On December 26, 2025, Najib, aged 72, faced serious charges that included four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering. These offenses relate to the illicit transfer of approximately 2.2 billion Malaysian ringgit (around $539 million) from the 1MDB fund to his personal accounts over a decade ago.

Prosecutor’s Case Against Najib

The prosecution argued that Najib exploited his position as the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Chairman of the 1MDB advisory board to misappropriate substantial funds from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund. This ruling marks a critical moment in a long-standing legal saga, as Najib had previously been sentenced in 2020 to 12 years in prison for diverting nearly $9.9 million from 1MDB—a sentence later reduced to six years.

The Significance of This Trial

This particular trial has emerged as the most consequential thus far, given its direct ties to 1MDB entities and the staggering amount of money involved. The proceedings have stretched over seven years, featuring extensive legal arguments and the testimony of 76 witnesses, including Najib himself.

Expert Insights

Bridget Welsh, an honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia, commented on the complexities of the case: “The trial has had a lot of delays, and it’s a very complicated thing to understand. These financial crimes are multi-layered, and it’s been a long, extensive process.”

Najib’s Defense

In the course of the trial, Najib expressed remorse for his previous handling of the 1MDB scandal. However, he maintained that he was misled by Jho Low, a Malaysian financier who has been evading justice since 2016 and remains at large. During the latest courtroom session, Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah highlighted the strong connections between Najib and Low, describing him as the prime minister’s “proxy and intermediary.”

Challenging the Defense

Furthermore, the judge scrutinized Najib’s defense that he believed some of his unaccounted funds were merely “donations” from the Saudi royal family, emphasizing the weaker credibility of this claim.

Conclusion

As developments unfold in this ongoing saga, the verdict against Najib Razak signifies a crucial chapter in the saga of the 1MDB scandal, which has captivated national and global attention alike.

Key Takeaways

• Najib Razak found guilty of serious financial crimes related to the 1MDB scandal.
• The verdict includes counts of abuse of power and money laundering.
• This trial involved extensive legal proceedings and numerous testimonies over several years.
• Najib’s defense centered around being misled by Jho Low, a key figure in the scandal.