Malaysia’s Pardons Board recently reduced former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s 12-year jail sentence by half and sharply reduced a fine, less than two years into his term for corruption charges involving theft of billions from state coffers. This move caused outrage among some Malaysians.
Analysts argue this could cast doubts over Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment to combatting corruption as an anti-graft candidate, yet formed his coalition government with Najib’s corrupt-tainted UMNO party.
Najib convicted of graft and money laundering
Najib was found guilty on seven charges related to his role in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal that toppled his government in 2018. Investigators allege billions went missing from this state investment fund and were used by Najib and his associates for lavish purchases such as Hollywood films, hotels, yachts, artwork and other luxury goods.
Najib has denied any wrongdoing, stating he was misled by fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, whom is suspected of masterminding the theft of 1MDB funds and remains at large. Najib claims he did not know how money from SRC International (a former unit of 1MDB) reached his accounts.
Razak can appeal against his conviction and can seek clemency from Malaysia’s king, who possesses discretionary powers to grant pardons. A pardons board recently reduced Najib’s jail sentence from five years to two and reduced the 210 million ringgit fine he had been ordered to pay from 210 million ringgit down to an unspecified figure; its secretariat said this decision by its chairman the king came without providing an explanation as to why.
Najib sentenced to 12 years in jail
Razak was unmoved as the court handed down his sentence and quickly was surrounded by family members after receiving it in one of five trials related to looting of state investment fund 1MDB of multibillion-dollar looting, of which Najib has denied involvement while alleging that misled by fugitive financier Jho Low.
At trial, he was found guilty of one count of abuse of power, three counts of criminal breach of trust and three counts of money laundering, with an associated fine of 210 million ringgit ($49 million). Furthermore, an appeal against his conviction regarding transfer from SRC International, another former unit of 1MDB was rejected.
Razak’s lawyers had claimed the court erred by permitting evidence from Low, the alleged mastermind behind the scandal, into the trial. Furthermore, they attempted to discredit her by alleging she may be biased due to a Facebook post she made in 2018. But they were unsuccessful; Najib was found guilty and was sentencing soon thereafter by Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid.
Najib sentenced to five years in jail
Najib used every tool at his disposal in the final days leading up to his appeal, including changing lawyers close to hearing day, seeking adjournments and alleging unfair trial conditions. Unfortunately for Najib, all these efforts proved in vain as last week the panel led by Chief Justice Maimun Tuan Mat rejected his challenge against conviction and sentence.
Razak was found guilty in 2020 for criminal breach of trust and abuse of power for illegally receiving nearly $10 million from SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB. Ultimately he lost his appeals but still faces three additional trials related to this multibillion-dollar scandal.
The Pardons Board did not give an explanation for its decision to reduce Najib’s sentence by half, though many see this move as a blow against Najib and his allies within United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) who had attempted to secure him a royal pardon. Najib retains widespread popularity throughout Malaysia as well as having immense power within UMNO.
Razak sentenced to three years in jail
Najib was granted a reduced sentence by a pardons board chaired by King Abdullah without explanation, an unprecedented move in Malaysia where power often remains untouchable and hierarchy rigidly enforced. His sentence had previously been suspended on appeal before now being reduced.
Razak was well-liked among grassroots UMNO supporters who benefited from his generosity to ethnic Malay communities and whom he attempted to secure with an online campaign entitled, “Your Bossku”. Some supporters even wept outside the courthouse while others shouted slogans such as, “Free bossku!”
Razak still faces numerous other corruption charges related to his time in office and close ties to fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, whom investigators suspect of orchestrating the 1MDB looting. Both Najib and his wife have repeatedly denied wrongdoing and claimed they were duped by dishonest bankers; according to James Chin of Australia’s University of Tasmania’s Asian studies department, his reduced sentence sends the message that powerful figures in South East Asia can act with impunity.
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