From Reformer to Convict: Najib Razak’s Fall from Power in Malaysia’s Main 1MDB Corruption Trial

Najib Razak, once groomed as a political heir to one of Malaysia's founding fathers, ascended to the prime ministership in 2009 amid promises of reform and liberalization. The British-educated leader initially repealed repressive security laws, projecting an image of progressive governance. However, perceptions of elitism, compounded by unpopular economic measures such as the introduction of a goods and services tax in 2015, gradually eroded public support. His wife, Rosmah Mansor, further attracted criticism for her perceived extravagance, becoming a symbol of detachment from the struggles of ordinary citizens earning minimum wages.

The turning point emerged with revelations surrounding the 1Malaysia Development Berhad sovereign wealth fund, established under Najib's administration to drive national development. Investigations exposed billions in diverted funds, with international probes uncovering lavish expenditures on luxury properties across major cities, high-value artworks by masters like Monet and van Gogh, a private jet, and even Hollywood film production linked to his stepson. Allegations extended to extravagant jewelry purchases for Rosmah, intensifying public fury over the apparent misuse of public resources during a period of mounting fund debt.

Earlier controversies, including kickbacks from a submarine procurement deal during Najib's tenure as defence minister and the unresolved murder of a Mongolian negotiator associated with the transaction, had raised questions about accountability. Despite denials of involvement, the conviction of two former bodyguards in the murder case added to the scrutiny. Remarks attributed to Najib emphasizing political funding practices were weaponized by opponents, crystallizing accusations of systemic corruption within his administration.

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In 2020, Najib was convicted in a related case involving the siphoning of funds from a 1MDB subsidiary into his personal accounts, resulting in an initial 12-year sentence that commenced after exhausted appeals and was subsequently reduced to six years by a pardons board. He currently serves this term, marking a dramatic fall from the pinnacle of power that once seemed unassailable.

A critical verdict awaits on Friday in the primary trial, where Najib faces charges of abusing power to obtain over two billion ringgit from 1MDB and multiple counts of money laundering. Defence arguments center on shifting responsibility to a fugitive associate regarded as the scheme's architect. A guilty outcome could extend his incarceration significantly and diminish remaining influence within the long-dominant political party he once led, cementing the legacy of one of Malaysia's most consequential corruption scandals.

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