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After nine years as Malaysia's prime minister, Najib Razak was driven from office in 2018 when he lost a general election to Mahathir Mohamad. The result was a political earthquake in Malaysia, where the Barisan Nasional coalition had held sway for more than 60 years. It also exposed Najib to prosecution over the vast corruption scandal engulfing state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which he established. Police seized luxury goods worth millions of dollars from Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansoor, and Najib has since been charged over his role in the scandal, including several counts of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power.
- The decision to halve Najib Razak’s sentence and cut his fine for corruption linked to the plunder of 1MDB enraged the public and reopened old wounds
- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday framed the decision as a ‘matter of compassion’ on the part of Sultan Abdullah in a final act as Malaysia’s king
Najib will be freed in August 2028 after his 12-year jail term was halved by Pardons Board led by King Sultan Abdullah, in one of his final acts in office.
Mahathir Mohamad and Daim Zainuddin are among the old adversaries to be swept up in a wide-ranging anti-graft probe. Anwar denies he’s had a hand in it. Still, at least one observer says it’s a ‘smart move’.
Najib was jailed in 2022 after being convicted of corruption linked to the plunder of state fund 1MDB. The decision means he could now be eligible for release as early as next year.
Mystery surrounds the fate of the disgraced former leader, who was jailed in 2022 for 12 years for corruption linked to the 1MDB scandal.
The probe against Mirzan Mahathir concerns the sale of stakes in some government-linked corporations.
The ringgit has slid more than 1 per cent in January, and is about 3 per cent away from a 25-year low reached in October.
Najib’s lawyers contended that the statements by several individuals in the documentary were in contempt of court as his corruption trial was still ongoing.
Under ex-PM Najib Razak’s tenure, Malaysia saw billions of dollars of Chinese investments mainly via the Belt and Road Initiative, some of which were later axed.
The Pardons Board is set to meet later this month and is likely to decide on Najib’s application for a royal pardon, local media said.
The ex-PM’s lawyers say the ‘Man on the Run’ documentary is prejudicial towards ongoing corruption trials linking Najib to billions of ringgit allegedly siphoned out of the state fund.
During a 2017 visit to the US, former Malaysian PM Najib Razak and his delegation stayed at the Trump International Hotel for 10 nights and spent a total of US$248,962.
A 58-storey building in Kuala Lumpur belonging to the close ally of ex-PM Mahathir Mohamad was seized as part of the investigation.
Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar reportedly said the rail link remained viable if privately financed and realigned, but resurrecting the project could cost more than Malaysia’s government can afford.
Sirul Azhar Umar, who was convicted of the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, has walked free after a landmark ruling by Australia’s High Court that outlawed indefinite immigration detention.
The protest comes amid public outrage over what has been described as a betrayal of PM Anwar Ibrahim’s reform promises and anti-corruption pledge.
Rosmah Mansor, the wife of ex-Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, has applied to a court to drop her 12 money laundering charges and five tax evasion charges.
The high court’s move to drop Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s embezzlement charges has put the credibility of PM Anwar Ibrahim’s reform agenda in doubt.
Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the former Malaysian prime minister, who was jailed for corruption last year, must ‘get the justice he deserves’.
Zulkiflee Anwar Haque was almost imprisoned for satirising figures including former leader Najib Razak. Now he’s turned his gaze elsewhere, with his film about PM Anwar Ibrahim bringing its own set of challenges.
Highly anticipated witness Zeti Akhtar Aziz appeared in court for the prosecution in ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak’s corruption trial.
The Malaysian PM’s uneasy alliance with his long-time rivals faces its first real test as 6 statewide polls loom, with analysts warning his government ‘can’t survive’ without the pro-Malay platform Umno provides.
Readers discuss the hopes for better US-China relations, the allegations against a Malaysian judge who convicted former prime minister Najib Razak, a critical moment in the Ukraine war, and why criticism of refugees is plain wrong.
Political observers suggest the probe was part of a wider campaign by Najib’s allies to discredit the judiciary and make a case for his full exoneration.
Performance in six state elections crucial for party’s political survival as it tries to regain the support of majority Malay-Muslims while maintaining a ‘progressive’ image.
Kee Kok Thiam’s family said he suffered a ‘sudden massive stroke’, weeks after he was reportedly questioned by Malaysia’s corruption authorities.
Malaysia’s Anti Corruption Commission said in a statement that it had confirmed the fugitive Malaysian financier’s whereabouts with several eyewitnesses, including another 1MDB suspect.
PM Anwar Ibrahim says his administration is working with ‘many countries’ to repatriate Low, who masterminded the looting of US$4.5 billion from the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund.
Request for pardon to be deliberated by the Pardons Board which includes the king and PM Anwar Ibrahim, who has brushed aside concerns of conflict of interest.
