Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife a high-flying life paid with money embezzled from a government development fundIt is known as the “coup of the century”. Now in prison, Najib clings to one last chance to get back into politics: a royal pardon that is not excluded.
Necip, who managed Malaysia Between 2009 and 2018, He has known public life for decades, taking political testimony on the 1976 death of his father, Abdul Razak Hussein, who was the Asian country’s second prime minister.
But diplomatic knowledge and contacts between Malaysia’s high spheres did not prevent this. The punishment for his excesses surprised many: Last August 23, the Federal Court of Malaysia upheld the twelve-year sentence. corruption.
The 69-year-old former president, who pleaded not guilty, was found guilty of embezzling 42 million ringgit. ($9.42 million) from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was designed by him to develop Malaysia and became the country’s first ex-leader to be imprisoned.
Accustomed to having elbow-to-hand contact with famous bankers and world leaders – he maintained a photographic friendship with former President Donald Trump – Najib traded luxury for the simplicity of the cellA decision pending his wife, Rosmah Mansor, who was sentenced in principle to 10 years in prison this month, was appealed.
Malaysia Frames
The term luxury may not be enough to illustrate the couple’s lives until the defenestration in 2015 following a journalistic investigation that uncovered the scandal: while the fund’s money was under their control, The couple led a kleptocracy in the Philippines in the purest style of Marcos (1965-1986).
In 2018, shortly after Najib lost the election to ninety-year-old Mahathir Mohamad, who used 1MDB’s corruption to beat his former student at the polls, Police seized a dazzling loot after searching the couple’s home.
Up to 300 boxes with Hermes bags or Louis Vuitton, Dozens of suitcases with cash in various currencies, 423 watches, 14 crowns and other valuables left the presidential house, recalling the 3,000 pairs of shoes found in the home of Imelda Marcos, wife of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
According to multiple forensic investigations of a scandal with ramifications in Hollywood and Wall Street due to the contacts of Najib and his partner Jho Low, who is now on the run from Justice, embezzled $4,500 millionOf these, 681 were deposited into the accounts of the former leader, who was facing four other lawsuits.
Links to Hollywood and Saudi Arabia
The case, leaked by ex-Swiss-Spanish banker Xavier Justo, is full of grisly details: the mysterious murders of unlikely informants, links with Saudi Arabia and extravagant gifts with money to the fondant player Leonardo Dicaprio or Miranda Kerr- model became known as the “coup of the century”.
That doesn’t seem to stop Najib from closing the doors completely for a final comeback. Despite embezzlement to industrialize a developing country, former leader relies on his environment to get him out of jailand in early September he asked for royal pardon.
“I think there is a chance for forgivenessCassey Lee, a Malaysian analyst at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, told Efe, but then it may depend on the outcome of the next election.
Malaysia’s rotating monarchy has often played a residual role in national politics, but the king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmed Shah, has had more influence in the turbulent years after Mahathir’s resignation and It was he who appointed İsmail Sabri as prime minister.He brings Najib’s (UMNO) party back to power.
For some analysts, the king’s decision will largely depend on how well Ismail Sabri convinced him. if choicesWhat needs to be done before September 2023 and can happen in the coming monthsPower up UMNOWhere Najib remains strong allies.
However, the king wanted to emphasize his neutrality and, as a defender of Islam in the country – Malaysia’s majority religion – said after Najib asked for clemency: Islamic justice ‘no privileges’ or exception for anyone who commits a violation”.
“Najib still has popular support, but that support will dwindle as he is in prison. its influence in some circles will disappear then too”Lee points to Efe.