Malaysia Najib Razak 15-Year Sentence 2026 Strains Anwar's Coalition
On Jan 9, 2026, Najib Razak was sentenced to 15 years, causing a rift in Malaysia's ruling coalition. UMNO members consider leaving Anwar Ibrahim's government.
The gavel has fallen, but the ruling coalition is starting to crack. Najib Razak's recent 15-year sentence and the rejection of his house arrest bid have sent shockwaves through Malaysia's political establishment.
Malaysia Najib Razak 15-Year Sentence 2026: UMNO in Turmoil
According to reports from Kuala Lumpur on January 9, 2026, the Malaysian judiciary's decision to uphold a heavy sentence for the former Prime Minister has sparked immediate friction within UMNO, a key partner in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's unity government. Internal factions are reportedly calling for the party to abandon the coalition, claiming the government failed to protect their former leader.
Political Stability and Anwar's Second-Term Prospects
Experts suggest that this verdict is a double-edged sword for Anwar Ibrahim. While it reinforces the image of judicial independence and the fight against corruption—central themes of his 1MDB investigations—it simultaneously threatens the very arithmetic that keeps him in power. If UMNO exits, the government could collapse, potentially triggering early elections or another era of political musical chairs in Malaysia.
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