Najib has to serve 15 years, pay RM2.08 billion fine.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been sentenced to a total of 165 years in jail over 25 charges in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case. The High Court ruled that he will serve 15 years, as all sentences are to run concurrently, in addition to his current prison term.
Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah handed down 15 years’ imprisonment for each of four charges of abuse of power, along with fines totalling RM11.4 billion. Najib was also sentenced to five years’ jail for each of 21 money laundering charges, though no fine was imposed.
The court further ordered Najib to pay RM2.08 billion under Section 55(2) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. Failure to do so would result in an additional 270 months’ imprisonment.
Justice Sequerah said he had weighed both mitigating factors presented by the defence and aggravating factors raised by the prosecution. “I’ve taken into consideration the cases cited and the principles of law. I have also considered the public interest element and the principle of deterrence, the length of his public service and other mitigating factors,” he said.
The judge began reading his judgment at 9.30am and delivered sentencing at 9pm. Reporters, who had spent nearly 12 hours in court, cheered as he emerged to pronounce the sentences.
Najib’s new jail term will only take effect after he completes his six-year sentence in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case. He has been serving time at Kajang Prison since 23 August 2022, following his conviction for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds. According to the Pardons Board, he is expected to be released on 23 August 2028.
Najib’s defence team requested the return of his RM3.5 million bail, which the prosecution did not oppose. Justice Sequerah ordered the sum to be returned. Lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said the defence was not seeking a stay of execution but reserved the right to apply later.
In a statement after sentencing, Najib urged Malaysians to remain calm.
“I remain determined to continue not out of vengeance, but out of principle. What I seek is merely the right provided for by law and what has been duly sanctioned. My intention has never changed: to contribute to the nation’s development and the well-being of its people. This struggle is not an attempt to evade responsibility; it is an effort to uphold justice, to defend the integrity of the Constitution, and to safeguard the rule of law. I will continue to pursue my rights through lawful channels. Whatever the decision today, I remain confident in the country’s judicial process.”
Earlier reports:
Dec 26, 1MDB verdict: High Court convicts Najib on all 25 charges in RM2.3bil case
Dec 26, High Court finds Najib guilty on all four power abuse charges in 1MDB case