Jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will learn his fate on Friday in the most consequential trial linked to the multibillion dollar 1MDB scandal, a decision that could intensify strains within Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s governing coalition.
Investigators allege that about 4.5 billion dollars was siphoned from 1Malaysia Development Berhad, the state fund Najib co founded in 2009, with more than 1 billion dollars allegedly ending up in his personal accounts. Najib, now 72, apologized last year for mishandling the scandal during his time in office but maintains he committed no crime. He insists he was misled by 1MDB officials and fugitive financier Jho Low about the origins of the funds.
Najib was convicted in 2020 of graft and money laundering for receiving funds from a 1MDB subsidiary. After losing all appeals, he began a 12 year prison sentence in 2022. A pardons board later cut that sentence in half, making him eligible for release in 2028.
On Friday, a Malaysian high court will decide whether to convict him on four additional corruption charges and 21 counts of money laundering tied to the alleged illegal transfer of 2.2 billion ringgit, equal to 539 million dollars, from 1MDB. A guilty verdict could bring maximum prison terms of 15 to 20 years for each charge, along with fines up to five times the value of the alleged misappropriated funds. Any penalties could be delayed if Najib files further appeals.
A Verdict That Could Shake the Government
The ruling comes days after another court rejected Najib’s request to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest, a decision that reignited friction within Anwar’s administration. Najib’s party, the United Malays National Organization, is part of the ruling coalition despite having campaigned against Anwar in the 2022 election. The party joined the government only after the vote produced a hung parliament.
Several UMNO leaders criticized the refusal to grant house arrest, arguing it undermined the authority of Malaysia’s monarchy. Others expressed anger over celebratory reactions from some members of Anwar’s coalition.
Anwar urged all sides to respond to the upcoming verdict with restraint, saying it was important not to inflame tensions even if some Malaysians do not sympathize with Najib or his family.
A conviction could deepen divisions within the coalition, with some UMNO figures already calling for the party to reconsider its alliance with Anwar or even withdraw from the government. An acquittal, however, could weaken Anwar politically, as he faces pressure to uphold his anti corruption stance. Critics have accused him of disappointing reform minded voters after prosecutors dropped certain corruption cases involving Najib and other UMNO leaders.
Anwar has repeatedly insisted he does not interfere in judicial proceedings.
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