Malaysia - December 2025

Former Prime Minister Najib Razak was found guilty on four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering and sentenced to 15 years in prison on 26 December for his role in the 1MDB corruption scandal. He was also fined MYR 11.4 billion (USD 2.8 billion) and MYR 2.1 billion (USD 514 million) of his assets will be subject to seizure. The verdict is a landmark event in the independence of the Malaysian judiciary and the ability of the justice system to prosecute corruption cases at the highest level. Najib was previously sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2020 on related 1MDB charges but concerns that Najib would escape punishment arose when that sentence was reduced to 6 years in 2025 by a pardons board headed by a former Malaysian monarch.

Sources: Asia Sentinel, Nikkei Asia, Malay Mail, International IDEA