KUALA LUMPUR - Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and fined RM 210 million (around US$49 million) by the Kuala Lumpur High Court, Tuesday (29/7).
Earlier in the day Najib was found guilty on all seven charges of corruption related to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal, including criminal breach of trust, money-laundering, and abuse of power.
As reported by The Edge Markets, High Court Judge Mohamad Nazlan Mohamad Ghazali said the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt about all seven charges against the former prime minister.
Najib still faces numerous criminal charges related to the allegation that US$4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB. It is alleged that more than US$1 billion was transferred into his personal bank accounts. He is the first former Malaysian prime minister to face charges in court and sentenced to prison.
The verdict and sentencing come amid the ongoing political crisis in Malaysia, which earlier this year saw the resignation of Mahathir Mohamad as the country's prime minister after less than two years of returning to power. His Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition defeated Najib-led United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in a landslide at the 2018 general election.
Following Mr Mohamad’s resignation, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdullah appointed Muhyiddin Yasin as Prime Minister, thus returning UMNO to power as part of Mr Yasin’s governing coalition. (MS)