Najib was found guilty of abuse of power and money laundering involving RM2.3 billion.
KUALA LUMPUR – Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was on Friday sentenced to 15 years in prison and a hefty fine of RM11.4 billion after being found guilty of four charges of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering, involving RM2.3 billion linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who previously oversaw the 1MDB trial at the High Court before his elevation to the Federal Court, handed down the verdict, Bernama reported.
For the four abuse of power charges, Najib was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for each count, with the RM11.4 billion fine, which, if unpaid, would result in an additional 40 years in prison.
Meanwhile, he received five years on each of the 21 money laundering charges, but no fine was imposed for these offences.
The 72-year-old former premier will serve the 15-year sentence concurrently, meaning he will not face additional jail time for the money laundering convictions.
The court also ruled that this sentence would only take effect once he completes his current six-year term for the SRC International Sdn Bhd case, which is set to end on August 23, 2028.
Justice Sequerah imposed the sentence after weighing mitigating factors from both the defence and prosecution, along with the accused’s history of public service.
“I have also considered and taken into account the antecedents of the accused, including the fact and the length of his public service, and other mitigating factors advanced in respect of the sentencing provision in Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act,” said the judge.
In addition, Najib has been ordered to pay a recoverable sum of RM2.08 billion under Section 55(2) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Failure to do so will result in an additional 270 months in prison.
The sentencing session lasted a total of 11 hours and 45 minutes, beginning at 9:15 am and concluding at 9:00 pm after extensive deliberations in court.
Throughout the proceedings, Najib, dressed in a blue suit, appeared calm, while family members and supporters attended the session.
Najib’s charges stemmed from his alleged use of his position to secure RM2.3 billion in bribes from 1MDB funds between February 24, 2011, and December 19, 2014, through the AmIslamic Bank Berhad branch in Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon.
These charges were brought under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act, which provides for up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
The 21 money laundering charges relate to activities at the same bank between March 22 and August 30, 2013
. These offences are punishable under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, with a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM5 million, or both.
The prosecution team, led by deputy public prosecutors Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib and Datuk Kamal Baharin Omar, was supported by a team of legal experts.
Reacting to the ruling, Najib’s counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, expressed disappointment, confirming the defence’s intention to appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal on Monday. –scoop.my
