Politicians should not be able to use state coffers as a personal piggy bank
Malaysia’s Najib Razak has become the country’s most prominent leader to be convicted in a criminal court. The former prime minister was found guilty of an abuse of power, money laundering and a breach of trust. He faces 12 years in jail. The judgment represents a fillip for a Muslim-majority democracy in a region where authoritarianism is on the rise. Politicians should not be able to use state coffers as a personal piggy bank and no one is above the law.
Najib is a kleptocrat in the eyes of the court. But is he in the public’s mind? Given the anger over graft, it would seem so. The judge found £7.5m in Najib’s bank accounts came from a state-owned Malaysian investment fund known as 1MDB, which was founded and controlled by him during his time in power. The verdict means that Najib is disqualified from being a candidate in any election. To run again he would need to win his appeal. He will remain free while he challenges the verdict.
Continue reading…Politicians should not be able to use state coffers as a personal piggy bankMalaysia’s Najib Razak has become the country’s most prominent leader to be convicted in a criminal court. The former prime minister was found guilty of an abuse of power, money laundering and a breach of trust. He faces 12 years in jail. The judgment represents a fillip for a Muslim-majority democracy in a region where authoritarianism is on the rise. Politicians should not be able to use state coffers as a personal piggy bank and no one is above the law.Najib is a kleptocrat in the eyes of the court. But is he in the public’s mind? Given the anger over graft, it would seem so. The judge found £7.5m in Najib’s bank accounts came from a state-owned Malaysian investment fund known as 1MDB, which was founded and controlled by him during his time in power. The verdict means that Najib is disqualified from being a candidate in any election. To run again he would need to win his appeal. He will remain free while he challenges the verdict. Continue reading…