PUTRAJAYA, December 27 — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was today sentenced by the High Court to concurrent 15-year prison terms and fined RM11.38 billion after being found guilty of four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving nearly RM2.2 billion linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah said the sentences for the four abuse of power charges would run concurrently, not consecutively, with Najib also ordered to serve an additional 10 years’ jail in default for each charge should he fail to pay the fine.
The court further ruled that the 15-year sentence would commence only after Najib completes his current jail term in the SRC International case, meaning the sentence would begin no earlier than 2028 or 2029, depending on payment of an earlier fine.
For the 21 money laundering charges, Najib was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for each count, to run concurrently, with no fines imposed. The court also ordered him to pay a recoverable sum of RM2.08 billion under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act, failing which he faces additional jail terms in default.
In delivering his decision after nearly 12 hours of proceedings, Justice Sequerah said the court had considered mitigation, public interest and deterrence, stressing the seriousness of the offences and Najib’s abuse of his positions as prime minister and finance minister.
The judge firmly rejected Najib’s claim that the funds were a political donation from Saudi royalty, describing the defence as unsupported by evidence. Prosecutors had urged the court to impose the maximum sentence, arguing that the losses and the damage to Malaysia’s international reputation warranted stern punishment.
Najib’s defence team, led by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, had sought leniency, citing his age, health and the claim that the funds were used for political and welfare purposes.
Najib, who appeared stoic in court as the sentence was read out, has indicated he will appeal the decision to higher courts. As a result, the landmark ruling is unlikely to mark the final chapter in Malaysia’s largest financial scandal.
