The High Court has found former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak guilty on two criminal breach of trust charges linked to the 1MDB embezzled fund.
Presiding judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah, in delivering the verdict, said the court found the prosecution had proven its case against Najib beyond a reasonable doubt.
"The prosecution has proven beyond a reasonable doubt its case against the accused in respect of the first charge.
"I therefore convicted the accused under the first charge under Section 23 of the MACC Act," Sequerah said.
Section 23 of the MACC Act deals with the offence of using one's office or position for gratification (abuse of power).
In the court’s verdict for Najib’s fourth power abuse charge, Sequerah also dismissed Najib’s claim that he was neither aware that Low had been giving instructions to 1MDB senior management members nor was it brought to his attention.
The judge said what Low did could only be “the work of a madman” who was so emboldened to interact with 1MDB managers because “he had the sanction and backing of the most powerful man in the country at the time”.
Sequerah said the absence of a police report by the accused against Low, denying that he had given such instructions, spoke “loud and clear” that the businessperson was not operating independently or in cahoots with the management to defraud Najib, “who at the time was the most powerful man in the country”. - Mkini
Malaysian fish crackers (Keropok) can be a reasonable occasional snack, but they’re not a health food. Nutritional value, portion control, and individual dietary needs determine whether they fit into a healthy eating pattern.
Why they can fit into a healthy snack pattern
Convenient source of energy and flavor: primarily made from enriched wheat and vegetable oil, they provide carbohydrates and modest fat for quick energy.
Fortified with some nutrients: many varieties are made with enriched flour (iron, B vitamins) and sometimes added calcium or vitamin D.
Portion control is straightforward: single-serving bags (typically 100–150 kcal) make it easier to manage intake versus a bulk snack.
Nutritional downsides to consider
Refined grains and low protein/fiber: they’re mostly refined starch, so they’re less satiating than snacks with protein and fiber.
Sodium: many flavors are fairly high in sodium (check the label); frequent consumption can contribute to excess sodium intake.
Added fat and calories: flavors and baked vs. whole-grain varieties vary; flavored or larger-portion options raise calories and fat.
Watch portion size: measure a single serving (often 27–30 pieces) rather than eating from the bag.
Pair for balance: combine with a protein/fiber source to improve satiety and blood-sugar response, e.g.:
1 serving Goldfish + 1 small apple + 1 tbsp peanut butter
1 serving Goldfish + 1 hard-boiled egg or 20–30 g cheese
Goldfish with hummus or Greek yogurt dip
Choose better versions: opt for whole-grain or lower-sodium varieties when available.
Limit frequency: use as an occasional processed snack rather than a daily staple.
Who should be cautious
People on low-sodium diets, those needing controlled carbohydrate intake (diabetes), or anyone aiming for weight loss should limit portion size and frequency.
Children: Goldfish are popular with kids—serve measured portions and pair with nutrient-dense foods rather than letting them replace balanced meals.
Practical comparison
As a standalone snack: less healthy than a handful of nuts, Greek yogurt with fruit, or raw vegetables with hummus.
As a component of a balanced snack: comparable to crackers when paired with protein/fat/fiber.
Bottom line Fish crackers or keropok can be an acceptable, enjoyable snack in moderation and when paired with protein or fiber. They should not replace nutrient-dense whole foods and require portion control and attention to sodium if consumed regularly.
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PUTRAJAYA: The proceedings in Datuk Seri Najib Razak's RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) graft trial are expected to continue after Friday prayers.
Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who has been delivering the decision since 9.30am, told parties that he needed another hour and a half to complete reading his decision.
Earlier, Najib's lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, asked the court for a short break after more than two hours into the proceedings.
Justice Sequerah agreed that the court had to break for Friday prayers but emphasised that he could not "put off" delivering the decision.
"I cannot put this off. I don't want to go to prayer time. I will resume after the break," he said.
The judge then instructed the prison officials to return Najib to the court after prayer.
Najib is facing four counts of using his position to obtain RM2.28bil gratification from 1MDB's funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
The abuse of power offences were allegedly committed at an AmIslamic Bank Bhd branch, Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon, between Feb 24, 2011 and Dec 19, 2014.
Meanwhile, the money laundering offences were allegedly committed at the same location between March 22 and Aug 30, 2013.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court has dismissed the Arab donation letters presented by former Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's defence team in his 1MDB trial as "forgeries".
In reading out the court verdict this morning, judge Colin Lawrence Sequerah ruled that Najib’s summary of his own narrative in relation to the funds being Arab donations renders it implausible.
"Arab donation narrative is not meritorious. The Arab donation letters were forgeries, and the evidence pointed unmistakably to the fact that the monies were, in fact, derived from 1MDB funds.
"This court has found the Arab donation defence to be incapable of belief and has not succeeded in rebutting the presumption of gratification under Section 23 of the MACC Act," the judge said.
In January, Najib testified that the Arab donation into his private account did not violate the Code of Ethics for Members of Administration.
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak
The former Pekan MP told the High Court that this was why he did not disclose the alleged Saudi royal donation to the then-cabinet in 2013.
During the corruption trial on Jan 13, he explained that he only disclosed to the cabinet that the late Saudi monarch King Abdullah would support his administration without disclosing the donation in detail.
Najib also disputed that the four letters addressed to him carried a personal tone.
Najib’s 25 charges
Najib was accused of four counts of power abuse and 21 money laundering charges in 2018. The trial began the following year.
The former premier had allegedly used his position to obtain gratification totalling RM2.3 billion of 1MDB funds between Feb 24, 2011 and Dec 19, 2014, at the AmIslamic Bank Berhad branch on Jalan Raja Chulan in Bukit Ceylon.
For the 21 money laundering charges, he is accused of committing the offence at the same bank between March 22, 2013 and Aug 30, 2013.
His power abuse charge was framed under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law, carrying 20 years imprisonment and a fine of either five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Najib’s money laundering charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act, which provides a maximum fine of RM5 million and imprisonment of up to five years or both.
He was ordered to defend himself against the charges on Oct 30, 2024, after Collin found the prosecution had established a prima facie case against him.
Menawhile, the NST reported:
The High Court has dismissed Datuk Seri Najib Razak's claim that he was misled by 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) management, ruling that he was fully aware of the company's dealings.
Presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah said Najib was not a country bumpkin, noting that he was then the prime minister, finance minister and chairman of 1MDB's board of advisers.
The court said Najib was aware when he rejected advice from former 1MDB chief executive Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi and others regarding the company's dealings involving rogue financier Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low.
Sequerah also rejected claims that Najib was focused solely on managing the country, stressing that he had instructed Low to accompany his former aide Datuk Amhari Effendi Nazaruddin on trips to Abu Dhabi and China.
"The inference here is that Low acted as Najib's proxy, conduit and agent. The argument by the defence that Najib was misled by 1MDB management is unmeritorious," he said.
Sequerah also highlighted testimony from former Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, who expressed concerns over 1MDB to Najib but was told not to worry about the company.
The court was adjourned for Friday prayers and will resume at 3pm.
DESPITE the concerns of MCA Youth secretary general Saw Yee Fung, the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) is right in saying that an academy qualification in medicine, dentistry or in doctor of philosophy is sufficient for the use of the prefix Doctor or “Dr” in front of the recipients’ name.
Saw lamented the fact that the use of the prefix “Dr” should go beyond the academic qualification to incorporate professional training.
Saw was in support of a PAS political activist Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusoff who questioned the newly minted Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Joharifor adding the prefix “Dr” to his name.
Furthermore, it was said that Johari did not graduate from a recognised university – ie Universitas Islam Bandung – henceforth, the Malaysian government or the Public Service Administration (JPA) does not recognise the medical degree.
Either in the field of medicine or in the award of the doctor of philosophy, government recognition is not the pre-requisite for the use of the prefix “Dr”.
As I have mentioned, the use of the prefix is essentially related to qualification in academic discipline.
‘Better to worry about bogus degrees’
A person graduating in medicine, dentistry or in doctor of philosophy is entitled to use the prefix “Dr” to his or her name.
PAS and MCA might have world of differences but when it comes to this non-issue they seem to agree.
The non-recognition of universities or their particular academic studies has nothing to do with the use of the “Dr” prefix. It is this the prerogative of the universities concerned.
An award of the degree of MBBS is the starting point of the medical career of medical students.
Even if the students with MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) do not follow the professional medical track, they are entitled to use the “Dr”.
I think Saw should not jump the gun by mixing academic credentials with practical experience in the use of “Dr”.
What MCA and PAS should be worried about is not about the use of “Dr” whether from recognised or unrecorded universities but the proliferation of bogus academic degrees in the country.
The high value placed on academic paper qualifications has led to situation where bogus colleges and universities are set up to literally sell degrees on the payment of fees.
This is problem in Malaysia, I wonder what the relevant authorities are doing about it. Maybe MCA and PAS might want to take the responsibility to investigate the proliferation of bogus paper qualifications in the country.
Meanwhile, given the shortage of medical experts in the country, I wonder why Taufiq wasted his years in pursuing a medical degree when his real interest was something else.
Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
AMID the political turmoil in Perlis which could be a cause for celebration to the ruling Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) alliance, grassroot Madani backers have warned of the ploy by influential UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh to sway public opinion towards backing PAS.
This is given the rightist Merlimau state assemblyman who has portrayed himself as a staunch defender of the Malay race and religion has rallied his party to stagea walk out from the Madani government following disgraced former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s failure in his bid to convert balance of his jail term to house arrest.
“Before this, Akmal said he wanted UMNO to leave Madani to become a dignified opposition. Today (Dec 25), Akmal is proposing to re-establish the Muafakat Nasional (MN) coalition with PAS,” observed Madani backer Aman Muhammad in a Facebook post.
“Apparently, Akmal is actually eager to be with PAS. He doesn’t want UMNO to become a dignified opposition but instead for UMNO to become a pariah apparently.”
The Perlis political crisis came about after three PAS state assemblymen had allegedly met the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail by claiming to have a majority and expressing a loss of confidence in Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
They are Chuping state assemblyman Saad Seman, Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (Bintong) and Mohd Ridzuan Hashim (Guar Sanji).
This prompted PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang to issue a statement that the Islamist party had terminated membership of the trio with immediate effect in accordance with Clause 76 and Clause 15A(1)(b) of the PAS Constitution (Amendment 2025).
In the 15th General Election (GE15), Perikatan Nasional (PN) won 14 of the 15 Perlis state seats comprising nine by PAS and five by Bersatu while the remaining seat was won by PKR.
Beyond how PN can claim credibility to govern Malaysia if it cannot even control Perlis – the smallest state in the country – or the internal spat between PAS and Bersatu which could lead to both PN allies contesting against each other should a by-election be held, Aman who is an avid Akmal critic added:
“This is how it is. Akmal doesn’t need to ask UMNO to leave Madani but Akmal should leave UMNO if he really wants to be with PAS.
“Nobody is stopping Akmal from leaving UMNO. So there’s no need for Akmal to drag UMNO into becoming a pariah. So Akmal, please leave UMNO to join PAS.”
Well, Aman’s post struck the chord as quite a number of commenters, too, feel that the Melaka state Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security EXCO should seek his exit from UMNO for constantly making statements that favour PAS/PN.
