Asian Insider: Malaysia Edition helps you connect the dots on the biggest stories playing out in Malaysia every week. Sign up here to get the newsletter in your inbox.
Former premier Najib Razak will have to answer for the RM2.28 billion (S$690 million) allegedly diverted from state-owned fund 1MDB into his accounts, the court decided today. This comes just days after he finally apologised on Oct 24 for the 1MDB debacle that happened under his watch.
But after serving 26 months in jail as part of an earlier conviction for siphoning RM42 million from a former 1MDB subsidiary, he still maintains his innocence, and says that he was somehow deceived into receiving billions of ringgit in his accounts.
The apology also came right smack between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement of a new house arrest law when tabling Budget 2025 earlier this month, and today’s court decision.
Meanwhile, leaders of Malaysia and Singapore are set to meet in late November to settle further details on the landmark Special Economic Zone in Johor. The state government believes that the plan will boost job opportunities and help stem Malaysia’s perennial brain drain issue.
The project has been the talk of Johor for months now, with a slew of conferences, briefings and policy announcements, such as incentives for the Special Financial Zone in Forest City also supporting the venture.
Follow ST’s coverage as we continue to bring you the latest developments.
Ex-Malaysian PM Najib will have to mount defence in 1MDB corruption case
The charges include receiving gratifications of RM2.28 billion that were deposited into his bank accounts.
Najib apologises, but will Anwar forgive?
The question Malaysians are asking is whether PM Anwar is willing to forgive Najib, the man he accused as his jailer.
Malaysia eyes more tax revenue from subsidy cuts for ‘ultra rich’, but who exactly are they?
Amid heated debate on the definition, experts say it should take into account factors like household size and locality.
As Johor’s youth look to S’pore for higher pay, state govt hopes SEZ will stem brain drain
The CEO of Invest Johor suggested that starting salaries in the SEZ can be set at between RM4,000 and RM7,000.
2 new VEP centres to open in Johor; 2 existing ones to close
The Larkin and Taman Daya centres face space constraints, leading to overcrowding and congestion in the areas.
Motorists waiting for VEP tags can collect them in Toa Payoh
Now grown up, children who inspired Penang’s iconic murals 12 years ago reunite with artist
