In a significant legal development, Najib Razak has been ordered to pay fines totaling 11.39 billion ringgit (approximately A$4.2 billion). Additionally, the court has mandated the recovery of 2.08 billion ringgit (around A$762 million) in assets from him. Should he fail to comply with these orders, Najib faces the prospect of further imprisonment.

During Friday morning’s proceedings, Judge Sequerah rejected several arguments presented by Najib’s defense team. Among these was the claim that Najib had been deceived by Jho Low, a controversial businessman and close associate. Jho Low, whose current location remains unknown, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

It’s noteworthy that Najib Razak has already been serving a prison sentence since August 2022. Despite the court’s decision, Najib continues to assert that he was misled by Jho Low and other officials connected to 1MDB. He maintains that he believed the funds credited to his account were generous donations from the Saudi royal family.

Najib has maintained he was misled by Low and other 1MDB officials into believing that funds deposited into his account were donations from the Saudi royal family.