2-11-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption related to state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), has been admitted to the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, according to his spokesperson on Thursday (Nov 2).
Najib, 70, is reported to be in stable condition and is undergoing quarantine and treatment at the hospital, as confirmed by his aide, Muhamad Mukhlis Maghribi.
He was taken to the hospital on Tuesday from prison after experiencing a fever, as stated by his spokesperson.
Najib’s conviction stems from his involvement in the 1MDB scandal, where United States and Malaysian investigators estimate that approximately US$4.5 billion was embezzled from the state fund. It is alleged that over US$1 billion of these funds flowed into accounts linked to Najib. The former premier co-founded 1MDB during his first year as prime minister in 2009.
Investigations have revealed that the misappropriated 1MDB funds were used to acquire luxury assets, real estate, a Picasso painting, a private jet, a superyacht, hotels, jewelry, and even financed the production of the 2013 Hollywood film “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Throughout the legal proceedings, Najib has consistently maintained his innocence. He was initially convicted in 2020 and began his prison term last August after Malaysia’s highest court rejected his final appeal. This made him the first former prime minister in the country’s history to be incarcerated.
Since his imprisonment, Najib has experienced various health issues, including stomach ulcers and high blood pressure, resulting in multiple hospital visits.
Najib has applied for a royal pardon, which, if granted, could lead to a reduction in his sentence. Additionally, he faces other corruption charges and is expected to stand trial in the future.
