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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

‘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

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

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.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}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.

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

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