Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak just got slapped with a 15-year jail sentence for his role in the jaw-dropping 1MDB scandal, as the BBC reports.

This latest verdict, handed down in Putrajaya, nails Najib for abuse of power and money laundering tied to nearly 2.3 billion Malaysian ringgit—about $569 million—siphoned from the state’s sovereign wealth fund.

The 1MDB fiasco saw an estimated $4.5 billion vanish into private accounts, including Najib’s own. This isn’t his first rodeo either—he’s been behind bars since 2022 after a prior conviction related to the same fund. It’s a saga of greed that’s rocked Malaysia to its core.

Najib’s Long Legal Battle Unfolds

Najib’s troubles started gaining steam with a 2020 conviction over a smaller chunk of cash—42 million ringgit—from a 1MDB-linked unit, landing him a 12-year sentence that was later halved. That was just the appetizer.

The main course came with this latest case, focusing on a massive 2013 transfer into his personal account, which he claimed was a generous “donation” from Saudi royalty—a story the judge tossed out faster than a bad check.

After a grueling seven-year legal marathon with 76 witnesses, the court in Putrajaya found the 72-year-old guilty on four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering. Those concurrent sentences—15 years for the big charges, five for the rest—mean he’s not walking free anytime soon.

Supporters Rally, Critics Cheer Verdict

Outside the courthouse on Friday, dozens of Najib’s supporters rallied, insisting he’s been unfairly targeted by a biased system. It’s a familiar refrain, but let’s be real—when billions go missing, someone’s got to answer for it.

Inside political circles, the verdict has split Malaysia’s ruling coalition, which includes Najib’s own United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), exposing raw nerves over how deep corruption runs. Even his failed bid for house arrest this week drew cheers from critics and groans from allies.

Then there’s his wife, Rosmah Mansor, who got a 10-year sentence for bribery in 2022 but remains out on bail pending appeal. It’s a family affair of legal woes, no doubt adding to the public’s cynicism about elite accountability.

Corruption’s Long Shadow in Malaysia

Former lawmaker Tony Pua, speaking to BBC’s Newsday, didn’t mince words: the verdict “send[s] a message” to leaders that even the top dog isn’t above the law. A nice sentiment, but does it stick when the system often seems rigged for the powerful?

Cynthia Gabriel of Malaysia’s Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism offered a grimmer take on Newsday, warning that “grand corruption continues in different forms.” She’s not wrong—without ironclad reforms, public trust remains a pipe dream.

Gabriel also pointed out the lingering fear: “We don’t know at all if another 1MDB could occur, or may have already occurred.” That’s the kind of uncertainty that keeps honest folks up at night, wondering if their taxes are just padding someone’s offshore account.

What’s Next for Najib and Malaysia?

Najib’s defense tried pinning the blame on shady financier Jho Low, who’s still on the lam and denying everything. It’s a convenient scapegoat, but the court wasn’t buying it, and neither should we—responsibility starts at the top.

This scandal cost Najib’s Barisan Nasional coalition its grip on power in a historic 2018 election upset. That’s a reminder that voters can still demand accountability, even if the system drags its feet.

So, where does Malaysia go from here? With Najib locked up and divisions festering in the political ranks, the fight against corruption needs more than courtroom wins—it needs a cultural reckoning. Until then, skeptics will keep asking if justice is truly blind or just winking at the well-connected.