Najib fails in final bid to get 1MDB-linked conviction reviewed

Five-member Federal Court panel finds no breach of natural justice in earlier hearing

- Nadirah H. Rodzi

Malaysia's apex court on Friday dismissed former prime minister Najib Razak's bid to review an earlier court decision affirming his graft conviction and 12-year jail sentence in a case linked to state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The decision was delivered by a five-member Federal Court bench chaired by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli.

This means the former Pekan MP will have to continue serving his jail term unless he secures a royal pardon from the King.

Najib had sought a review of the Federal Court's decision that affirmed his conviction and 12-year sentence for misappropriating RM42 million (S$12.7 million) from SRC International, a former IMDB subsidiary, claiming that he was not given a fair hearing.

He was also fined RM210 million for the offence.

In the majority 4-1 decision read out by Justice Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, the panel found there was no bias or breach of natural justice in the earlier court hearing.

"With respect, in the final analysis and having regard to all circumstances, we are constrained to say that the applicant (Najib) was the author of his own misfortunes," Justice Ong said.