A Malaysian court on Wednesday rejected former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s application to suspend his 15-year prison sentence and 11.38 billion ringgit ($2.8 billion) fine in a major corruption case linked to state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin ruled that Najib had failed to demonstrate special circumstances warranting a suspension of his sentence while his appeal remains pending, Malaysian daily The Star reported.
The judge said the seriousness of the offenses and public interest outweighed arguments raised by Najib’s lawyers, including concerns over his health, legal complications and potential delays in the appeals process.
The ruling leaves the additional prison sentence in place despite Najib’s ongoing challenge to his conviction.
In December 2025, Najib was convicted on four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving 2.28 billion ringgit in funds linked to 1MDB. He subsequently appealed the verdict.
Najib, 73, is already serving a separate six-year prison sentence for misappropriating funds from SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary.
His additional 15-year sentence is scheduled to begin in August 2028, after his existing prison term ends.
