Posted 2/2/2024, 9:32:00 AM
Malaysia Cuts Jail Sentence for Former PM Najib Razak Convicted of 1MDB Embezzlement, Raising Questions Around Impunity
- Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak had his 12-year jail sentence for corruption halved to 6 years by the country's pardons board
- His fine was also reduced from 210 million ringgit to 50 million ringgit, which he must pay by August 2028 to secure release
- Najib was convicted in 2020 for embezzling billions from Malaysia's state fund 1MDB
- The decision sends a message that political leaders in Southeast Asia can act with impunity, says an expert
- Najib remains popular in his party UMNO, which is part of the current governing coalition and pushed for his pardon