Malaysia’s former prime minister found guilty of fraud

Najib and wife

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was found guilty on Friday of abusing his power to plunder millions from the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund and launder the proceeds.

His sentencing, expected later on Friday, is likely to heap years onto the six-year term he is already serving for a separate case related to the now-defunct state investment vehicle.

Presiding Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah convicted the 72-year-old former leader on all four counts of abuse of power, as well as all 21 counts of money laundering, involving around 2.28 billion ringgit ($554 million) from the fund.

Najib, dressed in a navy blue suit and white shirt, was seen looking down, slumped in his seat as the judge read the verdict.