Malaysia’s political scene was rocked as former prime minister Najib Razak saw his years of power crumble in court, sentenced to prison for his role in the massive 1MDB corruption scandal.
The dramatic verdict marks a stunning fall from grace for the once-dominant leader.
Najib, who ruled Malaysia from 2009 to 2018, now faces up to 15 years behind bars for each major charge.
The court also slapped him with enormous fines and ordered asset recoveries, signaling a clear crackdown on political corruption.
The 1MDB scandal shocked the nation when billions of ringgit were allegedly funneled from the state fund into private accounts abroad.
Najib insisted that some of the money was a legitimate political donation, but the court rejected his claims.
Already serving time from previous 1MDB-related convictions, Najib had attempted to serve part of his sentence under house arrest, a request the court denied.
His lawyers have vowed to appeal the verdict, promising a legal battle ahead.
Political analysts say Najib’s downfall marks a turning point in Malaysia’s fight against corruption, sending a message that even the highest-ranking officials are not above the law.
For many Malaysians, the ruling brings a mix of vindication and continued scrutiny over how political power is handled.