Sentence Halved for Malaysia’s Ex-PM Najib in 1MDB Scandal, Reports Reuters

By Rozanna Latiff

KUALA LUMPUR – Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was convicted of corruption related to the 1MDB scandal, may be eligible for release by 2028 after his prison sentence was reduced. This news has sparked outrage among critics who are demanding clarification from the government regarding the decision.

The pardons board, led by Malaysia’s king, announced on Friday that it had made its ruling after considering Najib’s application for a royal pardon. Najib began serving a 12-year prison sentence in August 2022, but no reason was provided for the reduction.

The halving of Najib’s sentence comes amid rising concerns that current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is failing to uphold his commitment to reform, especially following the dismissal of several corruption cases involving Najib and politicians connected to his party last year.

Anwar has built his political career on an anti-corruption platform but allied with Najib’s United National Malays Organisation (UMNO) to form a government in November 2022 after an inconclusive election result.

The decision made this week was one of the final acts of the former king, Al-Sultan Abdullah of Pahang, who ended his five-year tenure under Malaysia’s rotational monarchy system. He was succeeded by Sultan Ibrahim from Johor.

Prime Minister Anwar expressed his respect for the king’s decision, stating that the pardons process operates independently of the government. He also indicated that other trials concerning Najib would proceed as planned.

Najib’s daughter, Nooryana Najwa Najib, expressed gratitude for the reduced sentence but voiced disappointment that her father did not receive a full pardon and immediate release. In her social media post, she reaffirmed their belief in his innocence.

Alongside the sentence reduction, the pardons board decreased the fines imposed on Najib from 210 million ringgit to 50 million ringgit. If he fails to settle this fine, an additional year will be added to his prison term.

The youth party MUDA, which withdrew its support for Anwar last year due to concerns about corruption, has called for an explanation from the government regarding this decision, expressing that it could negatively affect Malaysia’s image and reputation globally.

Najib’s conviction was linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, where approximately $4.5 billion is estimated to have been misappropriated, and over $1 billion was traced to accounts associated with the former prime minister.

Najib has always denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was misled by individuals involved in the 1MDB scheme, including fugitive financier Jho Low, and believed the funds in question were donations from the Saudi royal family.

After being ousted from power in 2018 amidst public discontent over the 1MDB issue, Najib’s party, UMNO, briefly regained power before losing again in the 2022 elections but subsequently joined forces with Anwar’s coalition to establish a majority.

Najib continues to face trials related to additional corruption charges tied to the 1MDB affair.