1MDB
In June 2026, Malaysian courts reinforced Najib Razak's culpability in the 1MDB scandal, citing his lack of remorse and central role in siphoning funds as key factors in upholding his prison sentence and financial penalties. Judges described the scale of 1MDB looting as making 'Attila the Hun look like a choirboy' in extensive rulings. Ongoing legal actions include asset seizures abroad, such as the freezing of funds in Barbados and the seizure of Jho Low's villa in Cyprus, and jurisdictional disputes over lawsuits against UK law firms.
Key facts
- Najib Razak showed no remorse for the 1MDB scandal, according to court rulings in June 2026.
- Judges cited Najib's lack of remorse and central role in siphoning 1MDB funds as factors in upholding his jail sentence and RM13b financial penalties.
- The scale of 1MDB looting was described by judges as making 'Attila the Hun look like a choirboy' in rulings exceeding 800 pages.
- Najib has filed bids to introduce new evidence in his appeal against the 1MDB conviction, including in May and June 2026.
- A Cyprus court seized Jho Low's RM30.5m villa in Ayia Napa over a 1MDB-linked money laundering case in June 2026.
- UK law firms involved in 1MDB-related lawsuits argue London is the proper venue, while Malaysian authorities contend the case must be heard in Malaysia due to its Malaysian-centered fraud.
- Singapore courts have granted winding-up petitions for three firms linked to the 1MDB scandal.
- The full judgment in Najib’s 1MDB trial was released in June 2026 after being delayed for six months.
Analysis
Multiple court rulings in June 2026 have reinforced Najib Razak's responsibility for the 1MDB scandal, with judges consistently citing his lack of remorse and pivotal role in siphoning funds as aggravating factors in upholding his conviction and sentence. The judiciary has used vivid language to describe the scale of the fraud, comparing it to historical figures like Attila the Hun to emphasize the magnitude of the plunder. Legal proceedings continue internationally, including asset recovery efforts such as the seizure of Jho Low's villa in Cyprus over money laundering links to 1MDB, and ongoing jurisdictional debates regarding where lawsuits against UK law firms connected to the scandal should be heard, with Malaysian courts asserting that fraud centered in Malaysia must be tried domestically.
This explanation is generated from the cited news sources below. It states only what those sources support.
Timeline
High Court rules Malaysia has jurisdiction over 1MDB’s US$1.86b suit against UK law firm
High Court rules Malaysia has jurisdiction over 1MDB’s US$1.86b suit against UK law firm, bins challenge - The Edge Malaysia
news.google.comAppellate court dismisses stay by UK firm White & Case over High Court’s decision on 1MDB suit
Appellate court dismisses stay by UK firm White & Case over High Court’s decision on 1MDB suit - The Edge Malaysia
news.google.com
Relationship graph
People, organisations and items linked to this issue. Hover a node to focus its connections; names in blue link to a tracked politician profile.
- 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB)company
Malaysian state investment fund at the centre of a major financial scandal involving alleged misappropriation of billions of dollars
- Cyprus courtorganization
Seized Jho Low’s villa in Ayia Napa over a 1MDB-linked money laundering case
- High Court (Malaysia)organization
Issued rulings upholding Najib Razak’s conviction in the 1MDB case, citing lack of remorse and role in siphoning funds
- Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)organization
Malaysian government agency responsible for investigating corruption; has secured court orders to freeze assets linked to 1MDB
- Singapore courtorganization
Granted winding-up petitions for three firms linked to the 1MDB scandal
- UK law firmsorganization
Involved in lawsuits related to 1MDB; disputing jurisdiction over where cases should be heard
- White & Caseorganization
UK law firm involved in legal disputes over jurisdiction in a 1MDB-related suit filed against it
- Jho Lowperson
Financier allegedly at the centre of the 1MDB scandal; subject of asset seizures related to 1MDB-linked money laundering
- Najib Razakperson
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia; central figure in the 1MDB scandal, found guilty of misappropriating funds and sentenced to prison
News collection(40)
All information on this page is drawn from the cited public news sources above.