- Title: Malaysians welcome court decision sending former PM to jail for 12 years
- Date: 23rd August 2022
- Summary: PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA (AUGUST 23, 2022) (REUTERS) POLICE STANDING GUARD AT THE COURT EXIT NAJIB SUPPORTERS GATHER OUTSIDE COURT HOUSE POLICE VEHICLE PARK AT COURT BASEMENT EXTERIOR OF PALACE OF JUSTICE (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Malaysia and English) PUTRAJAYA RESIDENT, FARDLAN (LAST NAME NOT GIVEN), SAYING: "From the bottom of my heart, I am happy justice is served and he deserved it." NAJIB SUPPORTERS GATHERING OUTSIDE COURT (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Malaysia and English) PUTRAJAYA RESIDENT, MARINA IBRAHIM, SAYING: "We believe in our judiciary system. When the guilty verdict was pronounced, I've read in the news today that he received 12 years prison sentence and to pay a 210 million ringgit fine. So I believe if he is already been proven guilty, I think it's well deserved." POLICE ON MOTORCYCLES WAITING IN FRONT OF POLICE CARS POLICE MOTORCADE DRIVING AWAY FROM COURT
- Embargoed: 6th September 2022 13:30
- Keywords: Malaysia Najib Razak court reaction
- Location: PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA
- City: PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA
- Country: Malaysia
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Crime/Law/Justice,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
- Reuters ID: LVA001008023082022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Malaysia's top court ordered former prime minister Najib Razak to begin a 12-year prison sentence on Tuesday (August 23) after upholding a guilty conviction on charges related to a multi-billion dollar graft scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The Federal Court ruling caps the stunning downfall of Najib, who until four years ago governed Malaysia with an iron grip and suppressed local investigations of the 1MDB scandal that has implicated financial institutions and high-ranking officials worldwide.
Residents of Putrajaya, where the court announced its verdict, were pleased with the result.
"From the bottom of my heart, I am happy justice is served and he deserved it," one resident, Fardlan, told Reuters.
Najib, 69, was found guilty by a lower court in July 2020 of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power, and money laundering for illegally receiving about $10 million from SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB. He had been out on bail and pending appeals.
The former premier, who pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to 12 years' jail and a 210 million ringgit ($46.84 million) fine.
Marina Ibrahim, resident of Putrajaya, said she thought the sentencing was "well deserved".
Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said the court unanimously dismissed Najib's appeals and that lower courts' conviction was safe.
Knocking back Najib's final appeal, the country's top court also denied his request for a stay of sentence.
Najib was seated in the dock as the verdict was read out. His wife, Rosmah Mansor, and three children were seated behind him.
Prosecutors have said some $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB - co-founded by Najib during his first year as prime minister in 2009. Investigators say they had traced more than $1 billion of 1MDB money to accounts linked to Najib.
Najib, who faces several trials over the allegations, has consistently denied wrongdoing.
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