Malaysia faces crucial graft test as Najib’s first 1MDB verdict looms

Former prime minister Najib Razak, fighting dozens of charges over a multi-billion-dollar graft scandal at state fund 1MDB, faces his first verdict on Tuesday in a landmark case that tests the country’s efforts to stamp out corruption and could have big political implications.

Najib was voted out in a historic 2018 election amid public anger over allegations that US$4.5 billion was stolen in a globe-spanning scheme from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a fund he co-founded. Prosecutors allege more than US$1 billion made its way into his personal accounts.