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Graphic shows a timeline of events in the downfall of Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak.
GN40409EN

CRIME

Malaysian ex-PM Najib found guilty in 1MDB scandal

July 29, 2020 - A Malaysian court has sentenced former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve 12 years in prison after finding him guilty in the first of several corruption trials linked to the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund that brought down his government two years ago.

Najib, 67, was calm and stone-faced as he became the first Malaysian leader to be convicted, in what opposition lawmakers hailed as a victory for the people. Najib said he was disappointed with the ruling and vowed to fight to the end.

Judge Mohamad Nazlan Ghazali sentenced Najib to 12 years in jail on one count of abuse of power, 10 years each for three counts of criminal breach of trust, and 10 years each for three counts of money laundering, as well as a fine of 210 million ringgit ($49.4 million). But he ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning that Najib will face only up to 12 years in jail.

Najib’s father and uncle were Malaysia’s second and third prime ministers. Shortly after he took office in 2009, he set up 1MDB to ostensibly accelerate Malaysia’s economic development.

But the fund accumulated billions in debt, and U.S. investigators allege that at least $4.5 billion was stolen from it and laundered by Najib’s associates to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels, a luxury yacht, artwork, jewellery and other extravagances. More than $700 million from the fund allegedly landed in Najib’s bank accounts.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 29/07/2020; STORY: Graphic News
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