Malaysia Dismisses 1MDB Money Laundering Charges Against Najib

Select Language:

Here’s a revised version of the content in American English, presented in a unique and original way, while ensuring it is free from plagiarism:

—

Prison officers escorting former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak as he leaves the courthouse during a recess in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 4, 2024. — Reuters

Najib’s attorney mentions that the prosecution can re-file the accusations.
Najib is “no longer” under the threat of dire consequences.
He is still waiting for a judgment in the most significant trial he faces.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s High Court has released imprisoned former Prime Minister Najib Razak from money laundering charges in an ongoing case related to the disgraced state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), according to his attorney on Friday.

Najib has been incarcerated since August 2022 after being convicted of corruption and money laundering concerning funds embezzled from SRC International, a prior subsidiary of 1MDB. Authorities from both Malaysia and the United States estimate that approximately $4.5 billion was siphoned off in a complex international scheme.

Additionally, he is confronting three distinct money laundering allegations tied to 27 million ringgit (about $6.4 million) allegedly misappropriated from SRC.

The case had faced numerous delays since 2019, leading the Kuala Lumpur High Court to approve Najib’s request for a discharge that isn’t classified as an acquittal (DNAA) on Friday, his lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah informed reporters.

Muhammad Shafee characterized the ruling as fair, noting that the prosecution retains the option to re-file the charges when they are prepared to move forward.

“So, he isn’t waiting in limbo or, as they say, no longer has a sword of Damocles hanging over him,” he explained.

The attorney-general’s office did not respond immediately to a request for comments.

This ruling marks the second time charges linked to 1MDB against Najib have been dismissed. Last year, a court granted another DNAA request due to procedural setbacks in a corruption case involving the former prime minister and Malaysia’s previous finance chief.

In 2023, he was also found not guilty of separate charges involving tampering with a government audit related to 1MDB.

Najib is still waiting for a decision in his most significant trial concerning the 1MDB scandal, with the court set to hear closing arguments in October.

He has denied all allegations against him and is seeking to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest while encouraging the government to acknowledge a royal order that he claims would permit this.