1MDB

Governments in Asia are perceived to be as corrupt as ever.

Lawyers for Najib Razak have filed a petition with the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, claiming "rushed justice."

Such funds are usually set up in smallish commodity exporting nations that run large current account surpluses. The Philippines is neither of these.

Najib Razak's campaign for a royal pardon will provide a compelling political B-plot in the run-up to the country's next general election.

After decades of subordination to politicians, the conviction of Najib Razak on corruption charges was a powerful assertion of independence by the country's judiciary.

Najib Razak's best hope of an early release is to mobilize his base and generate public pressure for the king to intervene.

The jailing of Najib Razak is a major step toward accountability for the massive financial scandal, but many of its architects and enablers remain at large.

The former leader was found guilty in 2020 on three charges related to the pilfering of the 1MDB state development fund.

Lawyers for the former leader are seeking to have the case thrown out on the grounds that a trial judge had a conflict of interest.

In handing down the decision, an appeal judge described Najib Razak’s actions as a “national embarrassment.”

The announcement came days after the Malaysian government filed 22 lawsuits seeking to recover more than $23 billion in 1MDB-linked assets.

The trial has shed additional light on the important role that the Malaysian First Lady played during her husband's time in office.