Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak launched his final appeal against the corruption judgment of the sovereign investment fund "1MDB", which was accepted by the Federal Court of Malaysia, namely the Supreme Court. Hearings will be held from the 18th to the 26th. Najib's conviction and sentence are final.

　　The corruption case involved in Najib went through the first and second trials. The court ruled that Najib was guilty of abuse of power, money laundering, breach of trust, etc., and maintained a 12-year prison sentence and a fine of 210 million ringgit (about 50 million US dollars at the time).

　　Najib applied to the Federal Court for a retrial and submitted new evidence on the grounds that the trial judge involved "conflict of interest" and the judgment was "biased."

The Federal Court dismissed the retrial request two days ago, but agreed to hear the defendant's appeal.

This will be Najib's last chance to seek reversal or commutation of his sentence.

　　Najib himself appeared in court on the 18th.

However, as soon as the court hearing began that day, his defense lawyer Shisham proposed to the federal court judge hearing the case that he wanted to "make a choice", citing "rush of time" and "insufficient preparation".

　　"I would like to first sincerely apologize that I cannot proceed with this appeal. I took this case as a misjudgment." Hisham asked the judge to grant an adjournment to the hearing, otherwise he will have to withdraw from the defense of the case on his own.

The judge denied his request after discussion and the trial continued.

　　Hisham was hired as Najib's defense lawyer last month.

He had previously asked the court to give him three or four months to prepare an appeal, but the court refused.

　　Najib, 69, set up the "One Malaysia Development Corporation" (1MDB) fund after he became prime minister in 2009 to boost the country's economic development, but ended up accumulating a lot of debt.

At least $4.5 billion in 1MDB funds has been misappropriated, according to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.

　　The Kuala Lumpur High Court found in July 2020 that Najib received bribes of 42 million ringgits (US$10 million) from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB, and transferred them into his personal account in return for Najib’s instructions The government provides high loan guarantees for SRC International.

The court found Najib guilty of seven counts of breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering, and sentenced him to 12 years in prison and a fine.

　　Najib pleaded not guilty and appealed.

He argues that he mistakenly believed that the funds entering his account were donations from the Saudi royal family, and that part of his actions were in the "national interest".

But the appeals court judge found there was no evidence to support Najib's claim and upheld the original judgment.

　　1MDB has now ceased operations.

Affected by Najib's corruption scandal and other factors, the multi-party ruling coalition centered on the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) lost to the opposition coalition in the parliamentary elections in May 2018. Najib resigned as UMNO chairman and resigned. Prime Minister.

Najib has been accused of more than 40 1MDB-related charges since leaving office, but he has always denied guilt.

Malaysia's political scene has also experienced a series of shocks, and Umno has withdrawn from the ruling coalition.

　　During the appeal, Najib remained as a member of parliament.

If the guilty verdict is upheld, Najib will become Malaysia's first former prime minister to serve a prison sentence.

That would ruin his chances of seeking re-election or holding office unless pardoned by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.