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Najib Razak

After nine years as Malaysia's prime minister, Najib Razak was driven from office in 2018 when he lost a general election to Mahathir Mohamad. The result was a political earthquake in Malaysia, where the Barisan Nasional coalition had held sway for more than 60 years. It also exposed Najib to prosecution over the vast corruption scandal engulfing state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which he established. Police seized luxury goods worth millions of dollars from Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansoor, and Najib has since been charged over his role in the scandal, including several counts of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power.

Born

23 Jul 1953

Industry

Politics, Crime

Job Title

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia

Najib Razak

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The prosecution claims the former prime minister did not disclose about US$40 million in assets to the anti-corruption agency.

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Malaysia’s Anwar seizes on haj fund report ahead of Negeri Sembilan election

The prime minister’s reiteration of his anti-corruption message is seen as a move to put Umno on the back foot.

Fall in line or resign: Malaysia’s Anwar reins in partners ahead of state poll

The prime minister has threatened to remove ministers and senior officers attacking fellow federal partners during the Negeri Sembilan poll.

Malaysian court acquits BN politician’s widow Zizie Izette after 7-year legal battle

The former actress had been accused of abetting her late husband, BN politician Bung Moktar Radin, in an alleged US$685,000 bribery case.

Malaysian comedian hit with lawsuit for insulting, body shaming Najib’s wife

Rosmah Mansor seeks an unconditional apology and exemplary damages from Harith Iskander for mocking her at his January 17 show.

Threat of Najib pardon gives Malaysian coalition new battle cry in Johor poll

A win for BN is a sign that Johoreans still love Najib, his son says, in a remark that has stirred up the spectre of 1MDB again.

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The transport minister urges voters to flood Saturday’s state election to ensure Malay-led Barisan Nasional does not have its way.

Anwar vows Malaysia to pursue Jho Low over 1MDB despite potential US pardon

Low is among 250 people that US President Donald Trump may pardon as part of celebrations to mark America’s 250th Independence Day.

Can Malaysia’s unity government survive a major BN win in state polls?

A strong showing by the Malay-led bloc in the coming polls could pressure Anwar into calling for an early general election, analysts say.

‘No DAP’: could Johor state election disrupt Malaysia’s unity coalition?

The refusal to work with DAP could be a defensive move to shore up BN’s Malay base in Johor ahead of the July 11 polls, analysts say.

Najib’s 1MDB plunder made Attila the Hun ‘look like a choirboy’: Malaysian judge

In his 809-page grounds of judgment, the judge who convicted the former prime minister said he was no ‘ignoramus’ misled by Jho Low.

Peta urges Malaysian prison to serve Najib, inmates ‘peaceful’ vegan meals

The animal rights group says vegan meals can help Kajang Prison promote ‘empathy and non-violence’ among its inmates and save costs.

Anwar says Malaysia won’t support Jho Low’s Trump pardon bid

The Malaysian businessman, indicted in the US, has denied wrongdoing but remains at large.

High stakes, low odds: why Trump pardon is unlikely for 1MDB’s Jho Low

The request appears unlikely to succeed because Low has never appeared in a US court, stood trial or accepted responsibility, analysts say.

Malaysia’s Jho Low seeking Trump pardon for 1MDB fraud

The fugitive financier is accused of being the architect of a scheme to siphon at least US$4.5 billion from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund.

Malaysia’s Umno marks 80th anniversary with show of Malay political power

The party held its celebrations in the Johor palace where it was founded, signalling it is back on track ahead of coming state polls.

New database tracks shifting outcomes of Malaysia’s political corruption cases

The Prosecutorial Accountability Watch database is an attempt to make sense of a justice system clouded by ‘double standards’.

Malaysia’s Najib ends house-arrest appeal over 1MDB-linked prison sentence

The withdrawal ends the former prime minister’s attempt to serve out his SRC sentence at home after his jail term was halved in 2024.

Tussle over Malaysian Negeri Sembilan’s ruler highlights unique state monarchy

Four chiefs have declared that Tuanku Muhriz is no longer the ruler of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia’s only state with an elected Malay ruler.

Overflowing cash, gems: police recall shocking scale of Najib-linked condo raid

Police struggled to itemise the vast collection seized in 2018, noting that jewellery bags were ‘filled to the brim’.

Afghan boy sole survivor after quake kills 8 in refugee family back from Iran

The group, who recently returned to live in a tent near Kabul, died when a wall collapsed on them, their toddler the only one left alive.

Malaysia court orders ex-PM Najib to pay US$1.3 billion to 1MDB unit

Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Najib was liable for losses incurred by ‌SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

In Malaysia, civil war erupts between key opposition leaders ahead of poll

Bersatu, a party in the PN alliance, is riven by a succession fight between its two top leaders ahead of the next general election.

Indonesia’s inner circle, Japan revives imperial army ranks: 7 Asia highlights

From insight into Jakarta politics to debate over Malaysian sultan’s comment, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

‘Not political gift’: sultan’s comment on pardons stirs debate over Najib’s case

The former prime minister claims that a decree has been issued allowing him to serve his reduced prison sentence at home.

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Readers discuss the use of Chinese stylistic elements in fashion, a Malaysian corruption trial, and a new trade pact.

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