Najib Razak

Najib was appointed head of UMNO Youth's Pekan branch and became a member of UMNO Youth's Executive Council (Exco) in 1976. In 1981, he was selected as a member of UMNO's Supreme Council, before winning the post of Vice-President of UMNO Youth in 1982.

In 1987, Najib was selected as the acting head of the Movement of UMNO Youth by Anwar Ibrahim after Anwar was asked to contest the post of UMNO Vice-President. Following mounting ethnic tensions anti-Chinese sentiments were expressed at a UMNO Youth rally held in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur the same year where Najib spoke. Rising tensions soon lead to fears of ethnic violence and eventually resulted in a security operation known as Operasi Lalang, that included numerous administrative detentions.[29]

By 1993, Najib was elected as one of six vice-presidents of UMNO in response to Anwar's decision to contest as the deputy president of UMNO. Najib continued to defend his post in party elections held in 1993, 1996, and 2004.

On 12 May 2018, Najib resigned as President of UMNO and Chairman of BN immediately after the 14th general election and replaced by UMNO vice-president, Hishammuddin Hussein.[30]

As Defence Minister, Najib instituted compulsory military service in December 2003, stating that it would encourage interaction and friendship between youth of different ethnic groups and religions.[31] During its first five years of operation, over 339,000 Malaysian youth participated in the PLKN (the Bahasa Malaysian acronym for "Malaysian National Service"),[32] which is intended to promote tolerance, teamwork, and community engagement. The programme, however, has faced challenges. Safety issues in the program have been reported and several people died during or shortly after their terms of service during the program's first few years.[33] In response, Najib strengthened the PLKN's health screening requirements and reinforced the government's commitment to punish negligent PLKN officials.[34]

In 2004, Mahathir retired and was replaced by his deputy, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Najib became Deputy Prime Minister and he remained as Minister for Defence. In September 2008, Najib became the Minister for Finance, handing the Defence portfolio to Abdullah.

1Malaysia was a campaign announced by Najib on 16 September 2009, calling for the cabinet, government agencies, and civil servants to emphasise ethnic harmony, national unity, and efficient governance.[39] The eight values of 1Malaysia as articulated by Najib are perseverance, a culture of excellence, acceptance, loyalty, education, humility, integrity, and meritocracy.[40]

On 17 September 2009, Najib launched 1Malaysia.com.my[41] in an effort to communicate with the citizens of Malaysia more efficiently and support the broader 1Malaysia campaign. He has used the site to highlight his policy initiatives and to provide a forum for Malaysians to their government. The 1Malaysia campaign makes extensive use of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.[42][43] Research has suggested that Najib and UMNO have made extensive efforts to establish a favourable online presence through the recruitment and support of bloggers and other social media users, sometimes known as 'cybertroopers.'[44]

However, Najib has been criticised for an apparent deterioration of race relations in Malaysia during his tenure that has occurred despite the 1Malaysia programme. In 2014, the long-serving former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad withdrew his support for Najib citing, among other things, the abandonment by Chinese voters of the Barisan Nasional coalition.[45] Najib's tenure has also been marked by increasingly aggressive racial rhetoric from elements within Najib's UMNO party, particularly towards Chinese Malaysians.[46]

The first BR1M Project was a scheme devised by Najib Razak to help poor Malaysians. The amount of RM 500.00 Ringgit Malaysia was given to households with an income of less than RM 3,000 a month.[47]

The second BR1M Project, also known as BR1M 2.0, with more than 2.5 billion ringgit will be distributed to Malaysians nationwide. This will affect 5.7 million household all over the country. In addition to the RM 500.00 for household, the government has also allocated RM 250.00 to single individuals. Those who have received RM 500.00 from the first BR1M project need not apply as it will be automatically processed.[48]

BR1M 4.0, which was announced in 2014, saw an increase in handouts from RM 650 to RM 950 for individuals earning less than RM 2,000.00, while households earning less than RM 4,000 will receive RM 750.[49][50][51]

The government of Malaysia has long been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.[52] Malaysia also supports unity between the Palestinian Fatah and Hamas factions. Najib visited the West Bank with his wife Rosmah Mansor, escorted by senior officers of the Malaysian government.[53] Najib Razak became the first Muslim leader from South East Asia to set foot on Palestinian soil.[54] Najib says Palestinians can count on Malaysia, but for there to be lasting peace, Hamas and Fatah must unite to safeguard the safety and security of the Palestinian people. Malaysia will give Palestine the moral, financial and political support it needs to rise above its struggles, but securing a future of lasting peace hinges on the Palestinians being united. Najib Razak also stated that for Palestine to move towards having a future it envisioned, Palestinians would have to take the first step – to unite among themselves.[55]

Najib travelled to India on a five-day state visit in January 2010. His 200-strong entourage included cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, state government officials, members of parliament, and prominent business leaders. During his visit, Najib pushed for a free-trade agreement and co-operation across a wide range of fields. Najib and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signed an extradition treaty and agreements to co-operate in the areas of higher education and finance. The two countries agreed to sign a free-trade agreement before the end of 2010 and Najib called for signing a "Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement" by the same date. These economic agreements have resulted in plans for RM 1.6 trillion in investment for Malaysia. In January 2010, Najib announced plans to develop a new visa regime for Indian nationals, specifically for managers and knowledge workers to visit Malaysia.

In a protest rally on 4 December 2016, Najib criticized the Myanmar authorities for the military crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, and described the ongoing persecution as "genocide".[56][57]

On 22 December 2016, an editorial published in the online version of the Frontier Myanmar magazine accused Najib of making the situation worse in the Rakhine state. Titled “The hypocrisy of Najib Razak”, the article agreed with detractors who said his participation and hard-hitting speech at the gathering was meant to bolster his popularity.[58]

Malaysia held its 14th general election on 9 May 2018. Barisan Nasional was dealt a surprising defeat, failing to win a majority for the first time in the country's history. Observers credited the unpopular Goods and Services Tax as well as the swirling 1MDB corruption scandal as key factors in the defeat.[59]

On 3 July 2018 after the 14th Malaysian general election, Najib was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as part of investigations into how RM42 million (US$10.6 million) went from SRC International into Najib's bank account.[105][106][107] The following day, Najib was indicted in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of abuse of power in connection with SRC International funds totalling RM42 million.[108][109][110] He was granted bail at RM1 million after pleading not guilty with his trial set for 18 February 2019.[111]

On 8 August 2018, Najib was charged with three further counts of money laundering as part of the MACC's investigation into the 1MDB scandal. Najib has denied making three transfers totaling RM42 from SRC International into his bank accounts.[112][113][114]

On 10 September 2018, Najib posted a copy of the letter that purportedly came from Prince Saud Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia on his Facebook account, as a proof of the alleged financial donation of US$100mil (RM304.5mil) given to him in 2011.[115][116] He said he decided to reveal the documents in a bid to clear his name of various accusations and slander, and would continue to do so on his social media accounts.[117][118]

On 19 September 2018, Najib was arrested following two hours of questioning by the MACC, believed to be in relation to the RM2.6 billion donation he received in year 2013. Najib was charged on 20 September 2018 at the Sessions Court in Jalan Duta.[119][120][121] However, he pleaded not guilty and was released on bail after his court appearance.[122] On 21 September, he made a brief appearance at the Sessions Court registry to sign his bail at RM3.5 million for 25 counts of money laundering and abuse of power charges in relation to 1MDB. He has posted RM1 million for his bail, while the remaining RM2.5 million will be settled in instalments by the following week.[123][124] In August 2019, during his second trial, Najib faces four charges of abuse of power and 21 charges of money laundering for receiving illegal transfers of RM 2.3 billion between 2011 and 2014.

On 28 July 2020, the High Court convicted Najib guilty on all seven counts of abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust in relation to the SRC International case, becoming the first Prime Minister of Malaysia to be convicted of corruption.[22] High Court judge Mohamad Nazlan bin Mohamad Ghazali has delivered the verdict regarding the misappropriation of RM42 million (US$10 million) from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.[125] In total, Najib faces 42 charges, of which 35 in another four trials are yet to be decided on.[126]

On the day of his conviction, Najib was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment and a fine of RM210 million (for the first charge). He was also given six concurrent sentences of 10 years' imprisonment for the other six charges. If he fails to pay the fine, he will be serving another five years in prison. He would be appealing against the verdict of the High Court.[24][25] The High Court granted a stay of execution of the conviction with an increased bail of RM 2 million with reporting to the police on the first and the fifth day of every month.[127]

Najib's appeal hearing in front of the Court of Appeal of Malaysia began on 5 April 2021.[128] On 8 December 2021, the Court of Appeal of Malaysia dismissed Najib's appeal, therefore upholding both his conviction and 12-year sentence. Judge Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil has also condemned Najib's actions as a "national embarrassment".[129] Najib's lawyer stated that his client, who remained outside prison on bail, would further appeal to the Federal Court of Malaysia against his conviction and sentence.[130] On 16 August 2022, Malaysia’s supreme court rejected Najib’s appeal for a retrial, stating that the case had no evidence of bias. The Federal Court indicated that it would hear a final appeal by Razak in the SRC corruption case from 18 August 2022.[131][132]

On 23 August 2022, when the Federal Court was finishing hearing the appeal, Najib's counsel made an application to recuse the Chief Justice Tengku Maimun.[133] This application was dismissed[134] and the Federal Court upheld the Court of Appeal's conviction,[135] handing down its full judgment here. As Najib has petitioned for a royal pardon (one day before he would have been disqualified as an MP), he still retains his Pekan parliamentary seat until Parliament is dissolved or the pardon is denied, whichever is the earlier.[136]

Najib is the first Malaysian former prime minister to be convicted and jailed for corruption.[137] Rumours that he would receive special treatment during his sentence were denied by officials.[138][139] On 25 August, Royal Lake Club Kuala Lumpur has removed Najib as its patron.[140][141]

On 26 October 1987, leader of the opposition Lim Kit Siang called for the Anti-Corruption Agency to investigate how Najib, who was Pahang MB, could give approval for a logging concession of 2000 acres to a resident of a low-cost housing estate. He asked ACA to investigate whether the logging concessionnaire was in fact a nominee for Najib himself.[142]

The French courts are investigating allegations of corruption in the purchases of two Scorpène-class submarines, by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence in 2002, at a time when Najib was the minister of defence. The allegations are that Abdul Razak Baginda, an aide of Najib, received "commission" payments from the French submarine builder DCNS.[143] Shaariibuugiin Altantuyaa, a Mongolian woman hired as a French translator to facilitate the purchase of the submarines and mistress to Baginda, tried to blackmail Baginda for a $500,000 cut and was subsequently murdered. 2 policemen, who were bodyguards posted to Najib, were charged and found guilty.[144][145][146]

On 16 December 2019, convicted killer Azilah Hadri has made an explosive allegation from death row in Kajang Prison - the order to kill Altantuya Shaariibuu came from Najib and the latter's close associate, Abdul Razak Baginda.[147]

Najib has also been implicated in the misappropriation of funds in the purchase of littoral combat ships (LCS). There is a perception that Najib was "the most powerful decision-maker" in the LCS procurement arrangements as he was both prime minister and finance minister at the time (April 2009).[148] In 2022, Najib commented that the project was given to contractor Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd because it was owned by the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) and all profits of the project would thus go to the armed forces.[149]

On 17 July 2007, Najib said Malaysia is an Islamic state and not a secular one.[150] He said:

Islam is the official religion and we're an Islamic State - Malaysia.

But Islamic state does not mean we don't respect the rights of the non-Muslim.

The Muslims, the non-Muslims have the rights and we protect the rights of the non-Muslim.

Comments by Najib asserting the country has never been a secular state have upset many non-Muslims. His remarks drew such stinging ripostes from lawyers, opposition parties and religious leaders, who accused the government of ignoring Malaysia’s history and constitution,[151][152][153] that authorities finally ordered mainstream media to drop the subject.[154]

Crimes against the LGBT people were on the rise during Najib’s administration. Under his administration, the then-Information, Communications and Culture Ministry put up a play titled Asmara Songsang (Deviant Love). The play characterised LGBT individuals as predatory thugs and ended with lightning striking all individuals.[155][156]

In two speeches given in June and July 2012 to Muslim groups, Najib described gays as a "deviant culture" that had no place in Malaysia.[157][158] In December of that year, Human Rights Watch decried Najib's remarks, saying that his "actions against LGBT people are a glaring contradiction to his self-proclaimed profile as a 'global moderate' leader." Those actions include shutting down a November 2011 sexual-diversity festival and a government programme to train people to "convert gays".[159] And during the signing of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration at the 21st ASEAN Summit in 2012, Najib deliberately excluded LGBT rights on the premise that the country has its own moral norms and values.[160]

Najib made clear in a speech in August 2015 at an international Islamic moderation seminar in Selangor, that he believed Malaysia should not support LGBT rights. Najib stated that his administration will do its best to uphold human rights but only within the confines of Islam and that Malaysia cannot defend the more "extreme aspect of human rights", such as gay, lesbian and transsexual rights. This prompted Human Rights Watch to suggest that Malaysia withdraw from the United Nations if the government was not serious about upholding human rights for all.[161]

In December 2015, the National Security Council Bill 2015 was passed in Parliament after a marathon six-hour debate. The bill provides Najib with unprecedented powers, such as the ability to define what constitutes a security issue as well as deem any part of Malaysia a security area.[162] Within that area, authorities may make arrests, conduct searches or seize property without a warrant.[163] The bill was criticised by rights groups as inviting government abuse.[164] The Malaysian Bar called it a "lurch towards an authoritarian government".[165] The government has defended the bill, with cabinet minister Shahidan Kassim saying the law is necessary to enable better co-ordination and a uniform response in the event the country is faced with security threats, and that the law does not contravene the basic human rights guaranteed under the federal constitution.[163]

On 22 February 2018, Najib has sparked storm of criticism after saying he had stopped eating rice in favor of more expensive quinoa.[166] He said:

I don't exercise often, I like to eat. My problem is that I love food, like most Malaysians.

We love food. I have to control. For example, I don't eat rice, I eat quinoa, my son introduced me to quinoa.

It comes from Peru, the Inca people planted it 3,000 years ago. It is protein-based, has less carbohydrate and less sugar. So it is better than rice.

His comment that quinoa was his substitute for rice has drawn criticisms from opposition politicians, who charged that he was out of touch with the masses.[167][168][169][170]

Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad wrote on Twitter that he only eats local rice.[171] Another opposition leader, Lim Kit Siang, said he had never even heard of quinoa. Lim said:“Quinoa which Najib eats is about 23 times more expensive than rice, eaten by 30 million Malaysians.”“The 14th general election will be quinoa versus rice; clean government versus kleptocracy; and Najib versus people of Malaysia.”[172] DAP lawmaker Lim Lip Eng claimed that Najib is out of touch with the hardship faced by Malaysians.[173]

On 23 February, The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has clarified that Najib does not rely exclusively on quinoa for his daily nutrition. PMO said quinoa was part of Najib’s healthy diet and had been recommended by a doctor.[174]

The government through LHDN filed the suit against Najib on June 25, 2019, seeking total payment of RM1.69 billion for income tax arrears from 2011 to 2017, with interest at 5% a year from the date of judgment, as well as costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.[175]

On 22 July 2020, the High Court has ruled in favour of the Inland Revenue of Board (IRB) in a summary judgment by allowing it to collect tax arrears from Najib for the amount of RM1.69 billion.[176]

On 6 April 2021, Najib says he has been served with a bankruptcy notice by the Inland Revenue Board. He said being a bankrupt would mean he would lose his parliamentary seat and will be ineligible to contest for party polls and national elections.[177][178]

On 6 May 2021, Najib was slapped with two fines amounting to RM3,000 for failing to comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the conditional movement control order (CMCO) at a chicken rice restaurant.[179]

On 17 November 2021, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer had brought up a video in which Najib appears to be allegedly autographing a motorcycle while campaigning in the Malacca election. He pointed out that this is not the first time Najib has been caught on camera violating SOPs during the campaign.[180]

On 11 January 2022, the police have opened an investigation into an event attended by Najib over claims that there was a breach of Covid-19 SOPs.[181]

On 27 February 2022, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said he will review a video depicting Najib purportedly violating Covid-19 SOPs during a campaign visit in Perling, Johor.[182]

On 10 March 2022, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin revealed that his ministry had issued 42 compound notices for the violation of SOPs during the campaign period for the Johor election, including five to Najib.[183][184][185]

On 31 December 2021, former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has filed a defamation suit against Najib following his allegations of nepotism and cronyism. He filed a statement of claim at Kuala Lumpur High Court, providing an August 24, 2020, Facebook post by Najib together with a Sinar Harian article dated January 28, 2019, as key evidence.[186] Dzulkefly is seeking an injunction to prevent Najib from making further defamatory claims and a formal apology among other things from the high court and he is also claiming RM5 million in general damages.[187]

On 3 February 2022, Najib has been told to file his defence by Feb 17 in a libel suit filed against him by Dzulkefly.[188] According to a report by ''The Edge Markets'', the Kuala Lumpur High Court senior assistant registrar Nurul Izzah Hasan Basri directed Dzulkefly’s lawyers during case management today to file a reply to Najib’s defence by March 3.[189]

On 29 March 2022, Najib alleged the post on cronyism in his Facebook account is not referring to Dzulkefly.[190][191] He said he was merely defending the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition in highlighting Pakatan Harapan (PH)'s hypocrisy in alleging nepotism, cronyism and political appointments with regards to posts made in government-linked companies (GLCs).[192]

On 22 June 2022, lawyer SN Nair, who is representing Dzulkefly, said the case has been fixed for trial over four days in June 2024.[193]

In 1976, Najib married Tengku Puteri Zainah Tengku Eskandar ('Kui Yie') with whom he has three children: Mohd Nizar Najib (born 1978), Mohd Nazifuddin Najib and Puteri Norlisa Najib. In 1987, he divorced Kui Yie and married Rosmah Mansor with whom he has two children: Mohd Norashman Najib and Nooryana Najwa Najib. His daughter Nooryana is married to the nephew of former Kazakhstani President, Nursultan Nazarbayev.[194][195] On 1 September 2022, Rosmah has been sentenced to 10 years in jail and fined RM970 million after being found guilty of corruption in connection with the RM1.25 billion Sarawak rural schools’ solar energy project.[196][197]

On 24 May 2021, the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB)-Tanore trial was vacated as Najib was recovering from eye surgery.[198]

On 4 September 2022, Najib who is serving his 12-year jail sentence was admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) for treatment.[199][200] Another news portal reported that he was sent to hospital due to intestinal bleeding.[201]

•  Pahang :
  • Knight Companion of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (DSAP) – Dato'
  • Grand Knight of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (SIMP) – formerly Dato', now Dato' Indera
  • Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (1985)[207]
  • Member 2nd class of the Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang (DK II) (2010)[207][208]
•  Sarawak :
  • Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS) – Dato Sri (1990)[207]
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP) – Datuk Patinggi (2008)[207][209]
•  Sabah :
  • Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima (2002)[207]
•  Selangor :
  • Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (DPMS) – Dato' (1992,[210] suspended 6 May 2019,[211] revoked 12 September 2022)[212]
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (SPMS) – Dato' Seri (2004,[213][214] suspended 6 May 2019,[211] revoked 12 September 2022)[212]
•  Perak :
  • Ordinary Class of the Perak Family Order of Sultan Azlan Shah (SPSA) – Dato' Seri Diraja (2004)[207][215]
•  Kelantan :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Kelantan (SPMK) – Dato' (2004)[207]
•  Negeri Sembilan :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Loyalty to Negeri Sembilan (SPNS) – Dato' Seri Utama (2005,[207] revoked 26 October 2018[216])
•  Perlis :
  • Knight Grand Companion of the Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail (SSSJ) – Dato' Seri Diraja (2007)[207]
•  Malacca :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca (DUNM) – Datuk Seri Utama (2007)[207][217]
•  Kedah :
  • Member of the Supreme Order of Sri Mahawangsa (DMK) – Dato' Seri Utama (2008)[207]
•  Penang :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (DUPN) - Dato' Seri Utama (2009,[218] revoked 15 September 2022[219])

•  Bahrain :
  • King Hamad Order for Development – (2017)[220]
  • King Hamad (Al Nahda) First Medal – (2017)[221]
•  Brunei :
  • Family Order of Brunei 1st Class (DK) – Dato Laila Utama (2010)[222]
•  Saudi Arabia :
  • Member 1st Class of the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud – (2010)[223]
•  United Arab Emirates :
  • Order of the Union Medal – (2014)[224]

•  Malaysia :
  • Honorary Ph.D. degree in Social Transformation from Limkokwing University (2008)[225]
  • Honorary Ph.D. degree from Monash University (2011)[226]
•  Japan :
  • Honorary Ph.D. degree from Meiji University (2010)[227]
•  Palestine :
  • Honorary Ph.D. degree from al-Aqsa University (2013)[228]