Asia | 5-0

Malaysia’s disgraced former prime minister is going to prison

Najib Razak is out of appeals and out of luck

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks to journalists outside the Federal Court during a court break, in Putrajaya, Malaysia August 23, 2022. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin
|KUALA LUMPUR

The case before Malaysia’s highest court on August 23rd was not just about the fate of one man. It was also about the kind of country Malaysia wants to be. A five-member bench ruled decisively—and unanimously. Despite threats against judges, the court upheld the conviction of Najib Razak, a former prime minister, for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Goodbye to Mr $700m”

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From the August 27th 2022 edition

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