For years, the 1MDB scandal has shaken Malaysia. Billions of dollars were allegedly looted from a state fund set up to promote development. A former prime minister was implicated as well as a network of foreign companies. Malaysia’s rule of law was put to the test on Tuesday over Najib Razak’s involvement.
He was found guilty of all seven charges and sentenced to 12 years in prison on corruption charges. But the judge has allowed a delay in carrying out the sentence. He’s also fined RM210m. It’s the first of five corruption trials and is centred on the transfer of RM42m from a former unit of the fund, into Najib’s personal accounts. He denies any wrongdoing and has said he’ll appeal.
So, could this be a step towards rooting out corruption in Malaysia? And what, if any, are the political ramifications? These are some of the issues discussed in this Al Jazeera report.
Presenter: Laura Kyle
Guests:
- Ei Sun Oh, former political secretary to Najib Razak
- Clare Rewcastle Brown, investigative journalist who helped to expose the 1MDB Scandal
- Bridget Welsh, honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham’s Malaysia Campus
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