Malaysia's Massive 1MDB Saga Ends: Former PM Najib Sentenced to 15 Years
On Dec 26, 2025, former Malaysian PM Najib Razak was sentenced to 15 years in prison over the 1MDB scandal. The court rejected his Saudi donation defense.
The curtains have finally closed on the biggest corruption trial in Malaysia's history. On December 26, 2025, a high court sentenced former Prime Minister Najib Razak to 15 years in prison. It's a landmark decision that concludes years of legal battles surrounding the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal.
Court Rejects Saudi Donation Claims
According to Reuters, the judge dismissed the defense team's long-standing argument that the funds in Najib's accounts were billion-dollar donations from the Saudi royal family. The court ruled that the evidence pointed against such claims, instead finding a clear pattern of management conspiracy and graft. Najib was escorted by guards at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex shortly after the verdict was read.
A Warning to the Political Elite
This isn't an isolated case. The sentencing comes as Malaysia ramps up its anti-corruption drive under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Another former leader, Ismail Sabri, was recently declared a suspect in a separate $38 million graft case. While some supporters view these trials as politically motivated, the judiciary's firm stance suggests a significant shift toward institutional accountability in Southeast Asia.
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