Malaysian Court Rejects House Arrest for Ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has ruled that former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak must continue serving his prison sentence rather than being moved to house arrest. The decision was made after the court found that a royal directive which would have permitted house arrest did not comply with constitutional protocols, specifically as it was not issued with appropriate consultation from the pardons board.

Najib Razak, who previously led Malaysia, is currently imprisoned following his conviction for corruption and money laundering linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. He is serving a reduced sentence after his original 12-year term was halved, with his release scheduled for 2028.

Details of the 1MDB Scandal

The 1MDB fund was established in 2009 to promote national economic growth and investment. However, investigations by international authorities revealed that approximately $4.5 billion was embezzled from the fund between 2009 and 2013. The misappropriated funds were laundered through various financial networks across the globe, including the United States.

Funds traced back to the scandal were reportedly used for various extravagant expenditures, such as gambling in casinos, financing a major Hollywood film, and purchasing luxury items including a private jet, a yacht, and high-value jewelry and art. Following Najib Razak's defeat in the 2018 general elections, authorities confiscated assets from properties linked to him, including millions in cash, thousands of pieces of jewelry, and hundreds of luxury handbags and watches. Many of these items were reportedly owned by his spouse.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Najib Razak was found guilty in 2020 on seven charges related to the diversion of approximately $9.9 million from a subsidiary of 1MDB into his personal accounts. He was convicted of abuse of power, breach of trust, and money laundering. The court's recent decision means he will continue to serve his sentence in prison, with no possibility of house arrest under the disputed royal order.

Upcoming Court Ruling

In a separate legal proceeding scheduled for later in the week, Najib faces additional charges concerning the alleged receipt of over $700 million in funds related to 1MDB. The court is set to deliver a verdict on four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering. If convicted, Najib could face significantly longer imprisonment, with each abuse of power charge carrying a potential 20-year sentence and each money laundering charge up to five years.

The 1MDB scandal remains one of the largest financial corruption cases in recent history, involving high-level government officials and international financial institutions. The Malaysian judiciary's decision underscores ongoing efforts to hold those involved accountable and maintain the integrity of the nation's legal process.