Najib Razak: A Legal Battle Intensifies Over 1MDB Scandal

A Malaysian court has ruled that former Prime Minister Najib Razak must defend against abuse of power and money laundering charges in relation to the 1MDB scandal. Najib, who maintains his innocence, was serving a 12-year sentence before it was halved. The government denies aligning new laws to benefit him.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak faces intensified legal battles as a court ruled he must defend against 25 charges, including abuse of power and money laundering tied to the 1MDB scandal. Prosecutors allege he received $526 million illicitly from the state fund 1MDB.

Najib, 71, who served as prime minister and finance minister, insists he was unaware of illegal fund transfers and believed the money was a political donation. Despite being sentenced to 12 years for related charges in 2022, a pardons board halved his sentence, allowing potential release in 2028.

As Najib prepares to take the stand, his lawyer remains silent, and his push for house arrest has met governmental resistance. Investigations have revealed that $4.5 billion was misappropriated from 1MDB, underscoring what has been labeled 'kleptocracy at its worst'.

(With inputs from agencies.)