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1MDB’s US$5.6b civil suit against Umno and Malaysia’s No. 1 pencuri begins
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3, 2026: Umno and Malaysia’s No. 1 pencuri (thief), the disgraced former Umno president and prime minister Najib “1MDB” Razak was brought to court today.
1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB)’s US$5.6 billion (more than RM22 billion) civil suit begins today.
As usual, the shameless and unrepented banduan (jailbird) pencuri was still given special treatment by the Madani Unity Government (read as police and prison wardens) wearing a lounge suit instead of the orange attire for prisoners and detainees.
This is how moronic BN-Umno and their supporters are, as they continue to lobby for the pencuri of rakyat dan negara to be freed.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below news reports on the court proceedings today:
1MDB civil trial kicks off with Najib accused of misappropriating US$5.6 bil
By Timothy Achariam / theedgemalaysia.com
03 Aug 2026, 03:32 pm
Updated - 03:39 pm
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex on Monday. (Photos by Zahid Izzani/The Edge)
KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 3): 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) civil trial against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and others has begun, with 1MDB alleging US$5.64 billion (RM24.7 billion) was misappropriated through fraudulent transactions.
The lawsuit, filed in 2021, by 1MDB and four of its subsidiaries is seeking to hold the former prime minister and several others accountable for the "1MDB Fraud", which resulted in total losses of approximately RM51.4 billion.
The long-awaited trial began on Monday, with 1MDB’s lawyer Lim Chee Wee delivering the opening statement before Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Redzuan Idrus.
Lim said in the statement that Najib — during his premiership — held the position of minister of finance which gave him control of the Minister of Finance (Incorporated) (MOF Inc), the sole shareholder of 1MDB.
“Under Najib Razak’s leadership, 1MDB carried out various fraudulent transactions which were executed with undue haste,” the lawyer said.
Lim said the alleged fraud occurred in four phases — Good Star, Aabar, Tanore and Options Buyback — involving a total of US$5.64 billion in misappropriated funds.
He continued that fugitive Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, assisted Najib in the fraud. Lim said Jho Low had no official role in 1MDB; however, he issued detailed instructions and directions on behalf of Najib and also spoke on behalf of Najib on the affairs of 1MDB.
“The fraudulent acts resulted in 1MDB’s funds being siphoned for the benefit of, among others, Najib Razak, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (Rosmah Mansor), his stepson Riza Aziz and his agent and/or proxy Jho Low and his family,” he said.
1MDB’s lawyer Lim Chee Wee
Lim said examples of the alleged misuse of funds included US$681 million transferred into Najib’s account in 2013, luxury purchases linked to Rosmah and Jho Low, and investments in Riza Aziz’s film production The Wolf of Wall Street. Rosmah is subject to another suit fixed for trial in July 2027.
He added that the government and taxpayers continue to bear the ‘immense burden’ of 1MDB’s RM51.4 billion losses.
“The total losses incurred by the 1MDB Fraud stand at approximately RM51.4 billion, and the federal government of Malaysia (and by extension the ordinary Rakyat) continues to shoulder this immense burden,” Lim said.
The court heard that US$30 million was made to Najib's Ambank account in 2012, US$681 million in 2013, and further US$1.27 million was traced to his account in 2014.
Lim emphasised that the civil suit shares factual commonalities with the parallel criminal proceedings presided over by judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who sentenced Najib to 15 years in prison and a RM13.5 billion fine on Dec 26, 2025.
1MDB counsel says they will prove that Najib is at the 'centre of the 1MDB fraud'
“He was in public service for decades, holding various positions of power. Between 2009 and 2018, he was the sixth prime minister of Malaysia and simultaneously held the minister of finance portfolio,” he said.
Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah
“As minister of finance, he controlled MOF Inc, which is the sole shareholder of 1MDB. Further, Najib Razak was the chairman of the 1MDB board of advisers (1MDB BOA) from 2009 to May 31, 2016,” he said.
“By virtue of the various hats worn and roles held, Najib Razak exercised control over the plaintiffs’ (1MDB) directors and management and is a shadow director under the Companies Act 1965,” he said.
Lim further stated that Najib — seated at the "apex of the Malaysian government" — allegedly "dismissed senior public officials (i.e., the deputy prime minister and the attorney general)" and classified the Auditor General’s audit report into 1MDB as a secret under the Official Secrets Act 1972 to conceal the misappropriation.
“Seated at the apex of the Malaysian government, Najib Razak in his role as both prime minister and minister of finance initiated and facilitated the fraudulent transactions which resulted in the siphoning and misappropriation of 1MDB’s funds,” he said.
Betrayal of public trust
Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor
Lim said this case is a betrayal of public trust against a person in a position of national leadership.
“This case is about betrayal, betrayal of public trust, the betrayal of the rakyat who trusted and elevated a fellow citizen to the pinnacle of national leadership, and a betrayal by that very same individual of national interests.
“Today we begin day 1 of a trial to hold Najib Razak and the co-defendants accountable. Quoting Thomas Fuller, 'be you ever so high, the law is above you',” he said.
The plaintiffs are pleading eight causes of action against Najib and the others including fraud, negligence, breach of fiduciary duties, and the tort of misfeasance in public office.
The trial continues with the plaintiffs expected to call six witnesses, including former 1MDB chief executive officer Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi and former general counsel Jasmine Loo Ai Swan.
1MDB and the four subsidiaries filed the then US$8 billion suit in 2021, where 1MDB along with 1MDB Energy Holdings Ltd, 1MDB Energy Ltd, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Ltd, and Global Diversified Investment Company Ltd (previously known as 1MDB Global Investment Ltd) were named as plaintiffs.
They had named Najib and seven other former senior 1MDB staff, several of whom are still missing, as defendants.
Those named include 1MDB deputy chief financial officer and executive finance director Terence Geh Choh Heng, executive director of business development Casey Tang Keng Chee, former director of investments and chief investment officer Vincent Beng Huat Koh, former chief financial officer and subsequently chief operating officer Radhi Mohamad, former director of investments Kelvin Tan Kay Jim, and former chief investment officer Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil.
Prior to this, the plaintiffs had a Mareva injunction imposed on Najib by the High Court in 2023, to freeze US$681 million in assets. The decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court. - TheEdge
1MDB civil trial begins as firm seeks US$5.64bil from Najib
1MDB says the former prime minister was at the centre of fraudulent transactions that caused RM51.4 billion in losses, with the assistance of fugitive financier Jho Low.
Former prime minister Najib Razak was sentenced to 15 years’ jail and fined RM11.387 billion after his conviction in the 1MDB criminal trial last December.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7tfynk01mE (1MDB civil trial begins as firm seeks US$5.64bil from Najib)
KUALA LUMPUR: The civil suit filed by 1MDB against former prime minister Najib Razak began today, with the company seeking to recover about US$5.64 billion from him and several others over the alleged misappropriation of its funds.
In his opening statement, lead counsel Lim Chee Wee, representing 1MDB and four of its subsidiaries, told the High Court that the plaintiffs would prove through documentary and witness evidence that Najib was at the centre of the 1MDB fraud, which resulted in losses of about RM51.4 billion.
“The total losses incurred stand at approximately RM51.4 billion. The government, and by extension the ordinary people, continue to shoulder this immense burden,” he said.
Lim said the plaintiffs had brought eight causes of action against Najib: fraud, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, conspiracy, misfeasance in public office, unjust enrichment and knowing receipt.
He said that under Najib’s leadership, 1MDB carried out a series of fraudulent transactions that were executed with undue haste, with the assistance of fugitive financier Jho Low, whose real name is Low Taek Jho.
“Najib Razak was assisted by Low, who held no official role in 1MDB’s management but often issued detailed instructions and directions on Najib’s behalf and spoke on behalf of Najib on 1MDB-related matters,” he said.
Lim told the court that US$30 million was transferred into Najib’s AmBank account in 2012, followed by US$681 million in 2013 and another US$1.27 million in 2014.
He said the allegedly misappropriated funds were also diverted for the benefit of several individuals, including Low and his family, who allegedly received about US$1.03 billion.
He said Najib’s stepson, Riza Aziz, allegedly received funds to finance a Hollywood film, while funds linked to Najib’s wife Rosmah Mansor were allegedly used to purchase luxury goods.
Lim said substantial portions of 1MDB’s bond proceeds and loans were also diverted to shell companies.
He said the alleged misappropriation took place in four phases: the Good Star phase involving US$1.83 billion, the Aabar phase involving US$1.367 billion, the Tanore phase involving US$1.591 billion and the Options Buyback phase involving US$856.3 million.
Six witnesses to testify
Lim said the plaintiffs intended to call six witnesses, including Richard Templeman, director of investigations at global financial and risk advisory firm Kroll Advisory Ltd, who would testify on the flow of funds.
Another Kroll witness, Angela Barkhouse, will testify on the role of liquidators and efforts to obtain evidence.
Former 1MDB president and CEO Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi will testify on the various phases of the alleged fraud, while former 1MDB general counsel Jasmine Loo will also give evidence on the same matter.
1MDB director Hisyamuddin Awang Abu Bakar will testify on the quantum of losses allegedly suffered by the plaintiffs, while former Public Accounts Committee member Tony Pua will testify on events from 2018 onwards that led to the filing of the suit.
1MDB and its four subsidiaries – 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited, 1MDB Energy Limited, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Limited and Global Diversified Investment Company Limited – filed the suit on May 7, 2021.
The suit also names former 1MDB CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil and former executive director of business development Casey Tang, both of whom remain untraceable.
The other defendants are former deputy chief financial officer Terence Geh, former chief investment officer Vincent Beng, former chief operating officer Radhi Mohamad and former director of investments Kelvin Tan.
The plaintiffs are represented by Lim, Lee Shih, Nathalie Ker, Raphael Kok, Henna Nikita Sanghvi, Ignatius Joel Nathan, Akhmal Amaluddin Mat Aris and Lim Zhi Ying.
Najib is represented by Shafee Abdullah, Farhan Shafee, Hartrisha Kaur Sandhu, Wong Sui Hua and Lim Zun Kang.
On Dec 26, 2025, the High Court sentenced Najib to 15 years’ imprisonment and fined him RM11.387 billion after convicting him in the 1MDB criminal trial.
His prison sentence is scheduled to begin in 2028 after he completes his six-year jail term in the SRC International case.
The hearing before judicial commissioner Redzuan Idrus continues. - FMT
Najib used vast powers to enable US$5.6bil 1MDB fraud, court told
Monday, 03 Aug 2026 | 5:50 PM MYT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Nj3aCQfsY&t=39s
(1MDB plaintiffs vow to place Najib at heart of alleged US$5.64bil fraud)
KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak held immense control over 1Malaysia Development Bhd's (1MDB) management, using his vast powers to enable fraud against the company and causing it to suffer US$5.6bil in losses, the High Court heard.
Lawyer Datuk Lim Chee Wee, who represented 1MDB and its four subsidiaries, said that Najib used his apex position, power and influence as the then prime minister, finance minister, controller of Minister of Finance Inc (MOF Inc) and sole shareholder of 1MDB to commit acts and exert influence over 1MDB's board of directors to execute abnormal transactions with undue haste, all to enrich himself, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, his stepson Riza Aziz, fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho and their families.
"As a result of these misappropriations, the plaintiffs have suffered losses amounting to US$5,644,525,051," he said in the opening statement on the first day of the civil suit filed by 1MDB and its four subsidiaries against Najib here on Monday (Aug 3).
Lim said the plaintiffs will prove by documentary and witness evidence that Najib was "at the centre" of the 1MDB fraud, holding various positions of power within public service for decades.
Between 2009 and 2018, Najib was the sixth prime minister and simultaneously held the finance minister portfolios, controlling MOF Inc, which was the sole shareholder of 1MDB, Lim added.
Najib was also the chairman of 1MDB board of advisors between 2009 and 2016.
"By virtue of the various hats worn and roles held, Najib exercised control over the plaintiffs' directors and management and is a shadow director under the Companies Act 1965," Lim said.
The lawyer further said that the trial was to hold Najib and his co-defendants accountable for their actions.
"This case is about betrayal, betrayal of public trust, the betrayal of the rakyat who trusted and elevated a fellow citizen to the pinnacle of national leadership and a betrayal by that very same individual of national interests.
"The tort of misfeasance in public office deals with such betrayal," he added.
1MDB and its subsidiaries 1MDB Energy Holdings Ltd, 1MDB Energy Ltd, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Ltd and Global Diversified Investment Company Ltd (formerly known as 1MDB Global Investments Ltd) filed the civil suit on May 7, 2021.
They named Najib, former 1MDB finance officer Terrence Geh Choh Heng; former 1MDB general counsel Jasmine Loo Ai Swan; former executive director Casey Tang Keng Chee; former chief investment officer Vincent Beng Huat Koh; former chief operations officer Radhi Mohamad; former investment director Kelvin Tan Kay Jim; as well as former SRC International Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, as the defendants.
The plaintiffs claimed that the defendants had committed breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duties, abused their powers and plotted to misappropriate 1MDB's funds.
The hearing continues before Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Redzuan Idrus on Tuesday (Aug 4). - The Star
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