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Najib Razak may seek re-election to parliament despite conviction

Najib's graft-tainted party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), clinched the premiership last month after it was ousted from power three years ago over a multi-billion dollar scandal. Opponents had expressed fears that party leaders facing criminal charges could secure leniency once back in control.

A. Ananthalakshmi and Rozanna Latiff (Reuters)
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Sun, September 19, 2021

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Najib Razak may seek re-election to parliament despite conviction Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak (3rd R) arrives at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Putrajaya on May 22, 2018. Scandal-tainted former Malaysian leader Najib Razak arrived on May 22 at the anti-corruption agency to give a statement over a massive financial scandal that helped to bring down his long-ruling regime in historic elections. MOHD RASFAN / AFP (AFP/Mohd Rasfan)

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ormer Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has not ruled out seeking re-election to parliament within the next two years, he told Reuters in an interview, despite a corruption conviction that would block him from running.

Najib's graft-tainted party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), clinched the premiership last month after it was ousted from power three years ago over a multi-billion dollar scandal. Opponents had expressed fears that party leaders facing criminal charges could secure leniency once back in control.

Najib, who served as premier for nine years until 2018, was found guilty of corruption last year and sentenced to 12 years in jail over one of many cases over the misappropriation of money from now-defunct state fund 1MDB. He has denied wrongdoing and has appealed the verdict, while calling for a probe of his prosecution which he says was politically motivated.

He is still a member of parliament but the constitution bars him from contesting elections unless he gets a pardon or a reprieve from the country's monarch.

Speaking to Reuters on Saturday, Najib challenged his disqualification, saying: "It is subject to interpretation."

"It depends on interpretation in terms of the law, the constitution and whatever happens in court proceedings," Najib said.

Asked if he would contest the next elections due by 2023, he said: "Any politician who would want to play a role would want a seat in parliament."

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