KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – On Wednesday, Malaysia’s High Court mandated that former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is currently incarcerated, should enter a defense in his second corruption trial concerning the extensive embezzlement associated with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state investment fund.
Najib founded the 1MDB fund shortly after assuming office in 2009, intending to foster economic growth. However, the fund soon accrued significant debts. Allegations have surfaced stating that over $4.5 billion was misappropriated from 1MDB and funneled by his associates towards financing Hollywood projects and lavish purchases.
The prosecution presented evidence for four counts of power abuse, where Najib reportedly siphoned more than $700 million from 1MDB into his personal bank accounts between 2011 and 2014, alongside 21 counts of money laundering related to the same sum, according to trial judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
The judge noted that evidence indicates Najib’s significant involvement with 1MDB and his essential role in transactions that ultimately left the fund in severe financial jeopardy. Testimonies from witnesses also contradicted Najib’s assertion that the money in his accounts was a donation from the Saudi royal family, as highlighted by the judge.
The court has summoned Najib to present his defense, with proceedings slated to resume on December 2. Throughout the hearings, Najib, now 71, appeared composed in a blue suit and has expressed his intention to testify under oath.
Najib’s defense lawyer, Mohamed Shafee Abdullah, remarked to the media that Najib felt disheartened by the court’s decision. “We are not giving up and we are going to fight this case,” he declared.
This scandal has dramatically impacted Najib’s administration, leading to his electoral defeat in 2018. He is currently embroiled in numerous legal challenges and commenced his prison sentence in 2022 after his final appeal against a prior corruption conviction related to 1MDB was unsuccessful.
Najib’s ongoing trial, which began in August 2019, connects him directly to the scandal and has included testimony from 50 witnesses over more than 230 days in court. On October 24, Najib publicly expressed rare remorse for the scandal occurring “under his watch,” while maintaining his innocence.
He is at risk of facing up to 20 years for each abuse of power charge and a maximum of five years for each count of money laundering. Furthermore, Najib still confronts additional legal battles regarding allegations of criminal breach of trust, along with another money laundering trial. His spouse, Rosmah Mansor, along with other prominent officials, is also facing corruption allegations.