My struggle is not to evade responsibility, but uphold justice: Najib
Published: Dec 26, 2025 11:14 PM
Updated: 2:27 AM
After more than seven long years charting the rise and collapse of Malaysia’s most infamous financial scandal, former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak was today convicted on all charges by the High Court in Putrajaya.
Najib was then sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for each of his four counts of abuse of power in the 1MDB case, and five years for each of the 21 money laundering charges.
In what is likely the longest sentencing hearing to date, presiding judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah delivered the sentences, not before issuing sharp rebukes against the former prime minister, in proceedings that began as whispers of irregular fund transfers and swelled into a global scandal that ultimately cost Najib both his office and his political dominance.
The former Pekan MP’s lead defence counsel, Shafee Abdullah, announced that he would be filing an appeal against the convictions on Monday.
He looks forward to presenting the case before the Court of Appeal, citing multiple “blunders” in the verdict delivered by Sequerah.
Collin Lawrence Sequerah
At the same press conference after the sentencing, Shafee also read out a letter written by the convicted Najib, which Malaysiakini has reproduced in full below after translating it from Bahasa Malaysia to English:
Brothers and sisters whom I respect,
I write this with a calm mind, even though my heart is heavy.
There are moments when I feel as though this struggle must be borne by me alone. Yet I remain resolute in continuing it - not out of vengeance, but out of principle. What I seek is merely the rights provided for by law and what has been duly granted.
My intention has never changed: to contribute to the development of the nation and the well-being of the people.
This struggle is not an attempt to evade responsibility. It is an endeavour to uphold justice, to defend the integrity of the Constitution, and to preserve the sovereignty of the rule of law, applied without fear or favour.
I will continue to assert my rights through lawful channels, with dignity and patience, even though the path is lonely and demands great sacrifice. Whatever today’s decision may be, I remain confident in the nation’s judicial process.
In this regard, I appeal to all Malaysians to remain calm, rational, and measured, and not to be influenced by or involved in any provocation that could undermine public harmony or demean the legal process. Differences of opinion should be expressed in a mature, orderly manner and grounded in the law.
I call upon all Malaysians to assess this matter calmly and rationally, not merely from the perspective of my fate as an individual, but for the sake of the future of our national institutions and the principles we collectively uphold.
Najib Abdul Razak
At the same press conference after the sentencing, Shafee also read out a letter written by the convicted Najib, which Malaysiakini has reproduced in full below after translating it from Bahasa Malaysia to English:
Brothers and sisters whom I respect,
I write this with a calm mind, even though my heart is heavy.
There are moments when I feel as though this struggle must be borne by me alone. Yet I remain resolute in continuing it - not out of vengeance, but out of principle. What I seek is merely the rights provided for by law and what has been duly granted.
My intention has never changed: to contribute to the development of the nation and the well-being of the people.
This struggle is not an attempt to evade responsibility. It is an endeavour to uphold justice, to defend the integrity of the Constitution, and to preserve the sovereignty of the rule of law, applied without fear or favour.
I will continue to assert my rights through lawful channels, with dignity and patience, even though the path is lonely and demands great sacrifice. Whatever today’s decision may be, I remain confident in the nation’s judicial process.
In this regard, I appeal to all Malaysians to remain calm, rational, and measured, and not to be influenced by or involved in any provocation that could undermine public harmony or demean the legal process. Differences of opinion should be expressed in a mature, orderly manner and grounded in the law.
I call upon all Malaysians to assess this matter calmly and rationally, not merely from the perspective of my fate as an individual, but for the sake of the future of our national institutions and the principles we collectively uphold.
Najib Abdul Razak
1MDB: Court finds Najib guilty on all 25 charges
1MDB verdict: Court rules Arab donation letters were forged
Judge: Najib 'no country bumpkin' to feign ignorance over 1MDB fraud
Najib, Jho Low had 'unmistakable bond': 1MDB trial judge
Najib's supporters in high spirits despite low turnout
Najib returns to prison for Friday prayers, court resumes at 3pm
Najib never interfered with 1MDB probes: Shafee tells court in mitigation
Najib gets 15 years' jail, RM11.38b fine for 1MDB
We'll file an appeal on Monday, Shafee says after 'losing all'
No comments:
Post a Comment