1MDB scandal: Malaysian judge who convicted Najib Razak had ‘no criminal wrongdoing’, probe finds

An investigation into the high-profile Malaysian judge who presided over the conviction of Najib Razak found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing

Political observers suggest the probe was part of a wider campaign by Najib’s allies to discredit the judiciary and make a case for his full exoneration

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Published: 5:28pm, 19 Jun 2023

An investigation into the high-profile Malaysian judge who presided over the 2020 conviction of ex-leader Najib Razak found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday in the latest blow to efforts to exonerate the jailed politician.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) last year stirred public anger when it was revealed the agency had launched a probe into Court of Appeal Judge Nazlan Ghazali following complaints lodged against him by unnamed parties.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission last year stirred public anger when it was revealed the agency had launched a probe into Court of Appeal Judge Nazlan Ghazali following complaints lodged against him by unnamed parties. Photo: Handout

The country’s legal community rallied behind the judge, with the Bar Council at the time saying the MACC investigation contravened the separation of powers.

Political observers had suggested the probe was part of a wider campaign put forth by Najib’s allies to discredit the judiciary and make a case for his full exoneration.

The former prime minister is currently serving a 12-year jail term meted out by Nazlan in one of several cases linking him to the multibillion 1MDB financial scandal.

In parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Anwar said the MACC’s “detailed investigation” into Nazlan “found no criminal wrongdoing was committed and this was agreed upon by the attorney general’s chambers”.