Kuala lumpur: Malaysian anti-corruption activists are urging significant structural reforms following former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s recent conviction in the 1MDB scandal. The scandal involved the embezzlement of over $4.5 billion in state funds, and Najib has received additional prison sentences.
According to Thai News Agency, the ruling has sparked calls from civil society for the government to address deep-rooted structural issues in Malaysia. Raymond Ram, president of Transparency International in Malaysia, emphasized that the conviction is a pivotal moment for the government to enact the promised institutional reforms. Key among these is the separation of the roles of the Attorney General from that of a legal advisor to the government, which would mitigate conflicts of interest in politically sensitive cases.
Najib, 72, who is already serving a six-year prison sentence from a previous case linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), was recently found guilty of abuse of power and money laundering. The High Court added 15 years to his sentence and imposed a fine of nearly $3 billion. Despite being in prison since 2022, Najib has appealed the decision and denies all charges.
The recent court ruling has created tension within Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling coalition. Najib continues to be a popular figure among certain factions within UMNO, a former rival party that joined Anwar’s coalition after the 2022 election. Anwar, who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, faces criticism for perceived slow reforms.
Critics have accused Anwar of betraying allies after prosecutors dropped some corruption charges against Najib and key UMNO figures. Anwar defended his administration, stating that the government is actively addressing governance and corruption issues, while also highlighting the challenge of dismantling entrenched corrupt practices. He denied allegations of biased prosecution, noting that investigations have also involved high-ranking officials, including his political secretary and the army chief.
The anti-corruption center, C4, led by founder Cynthia Gabriel, has called for expedited legislation on political fundraising. As the general election approaches, the government is under pressure to regain voter trust, with the future of UMNO and the current coalition government remaining uncertain.