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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

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

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

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.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Don’t be too quick to call brands out on cultural appropriation

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

Malaysia’s Umno chief denies he ‘sidelined’ Najib to save himself

Ahmad Zahid, who has been cleared of corruption charges, says the party has ‘never wavered’ from its position of supporting its ex-leader.

Malaysia’s Umno seeks Najib’s pardon amid 1MDB scandal, but stay in coalition

Umno divisions demand justice for the jailed ex-PM, yet leadership rejects calls to exit unity government ahead of the annual assembly.

Malaysia’s opposition thrown into uncertainty as Muhyiddin quits as PN chairman

The former prime minister’s exit follows months of infighting within Perikatan Nasional and a bitter power struggle between Bersatu and PAS.

Malaysia’s Najib Razak challenges 15-year jail term in 1MDB case

A court last week ordered Najib to begin ‍serving the additional sentence after his current six-year prison term ends in 2028.

Rise of Peranakan Chinese networks, Malaysian ex-PM jailed: 7 Asia highlights

From Indonesia fuming over flag stunt to Duterte’s drug war verdict upheld, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Najib’s new 1MDB verdict deepens Umno rifts, testing Malaysia’s unity government

The jail term for the former prime minister has reignited grass roots anger and raised questions over Umno’s future inside Anwar’s coalition.

Trump’s dance, Najib’s 1MDB saga, influencer case: Malaysia leads Asean in 2025

The country hosts the region’s biggest event, sees a new twist in the 1MDB scandal and is at a critical political juncture.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Disgraced ex-Malaysian PM Najib guilty in final 1MDB case

The disgraced former prime minister was found guilty in the final criminal trial stemming from the corrupt 1MDB fund.

Malaysia’s Perlis state in turmoil after chief minister’s shock resignation

Mohd Shukri Ramli resigned due to health reasons amid a withdrawal of support from eight PN state assemblymen.

Malaysia’s Najib sentenced to 15 years in jail for abuse of power in 1MDB saga

The ruling comes after a years-long trial in the financial fraud that saw more than US$4.5 billion plundered from the state fund.

China’s reusable rocket failure, PLA growth leaves US ‘vulnerable’: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s crowded border at Christmas to jailed ex-Malaysian PM’s request rejected, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

The High Court will rule on abuse of power and money laundering charges, with Najib facing the prospect of lengthy prison terms if found guilty.

Najib’s children lament Malaysian court ruling – ‘we thought he was coming home’

The ex-prime minister has lost his case to have his imprisonment commuted to house arrest based on a supposed royal decree.

Why Malaysian court ruling against Najib is dividing Anwar’s coalition

A comment by a DAP member that is perceived as celebrating Najib’s legal setback has been slammed by Umno’s leaders.

Malaysian court blocks Najib’s bid for house arrest

Monday’s decision keeps the former prime minister behind bars as he awaits the outcome of the far larger 1MDB case on Friday.

Malaysia’s Anwar reshuffles cabinet to focus on ‘stronger growth’

The changes come after months of pressure on his government, sparked by several key resignations and rising inflation.

Najib’s wife cleared as Malaysia drops money laundering, tax evasion appeal

The prosecution said it could not definitively prove that Rosmah Mansor committed the offences.

Fugitive Jho Low’s sister and associate ordered to pay US$2.8 billion to 1MDB

The judge noted that May Lin and associate Eric Tan failed to appear in court, resulting in a massive default judgment in the ongoing 1MDB suit.

Standard Chartered faces US$2.7 billion 1MDB suit in Singapore

The lawsuit alleges Standard Chartered enabled acts of fraud leading to US$2.7 billion in losses over a decade. The bank plans to appeal.

Najib, son face bankruptcy after Malaysian court’s tax ruling

Malaysia’s revenue board initiated the proceedings after the former prime minister and his son failed to settle their tax arrears.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Asian Angle | Why Malaysia’s fuel subsidy reform is stuck in the slow lane

Fears of a 2008-style backlash and poor public transport are keeping Anwar’s government from slashing the huge, regressive fuel subsidy bill.

Letters | Don’t be too quick to call brands out on cultural appropriation

Video | Disgraced ex-Malaysian PM Najib guilty in final 1MDB case

Asian Angle | Why Malaysia’s fuel subsidy reform is stuck in the slow lane