The legacy of Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal on politics and corruption-fighting

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Established for “forging partnerships and advancing growth”, the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) instead ended up at the centre of one of the world’s biggest financial fraud cases. In 2015, details emerged about how top Malaysian officials and their cronies had looted US$4.5 billion from the state investment fund. The widening scandal would eventually topple the government of former prime minister Najib Razak, set off a global investigation and make anti-corruption a political rallying point in Malaysia. But years later, how much progress has been made with holding the perpetrators to account? And what impact have the reforms had on Malaysia’s political landscape?
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#scmp #Asia #Malaysia1MDBscandal

[@tokasync5665]

malaysia has a deputy prime minister who has corruption cases. this is malaysia boleh.

[@clementihammock7572]

Bersih is half dead; Reformasi is dead, and Corruption is fully alive. When their current DPM walk with a smile face.

[@andrewondon]

I didnt know Malaysia has so much money swishing around. The country would have been a highly developed, rich nation now

[@kriskravt3428]

It's one of the most developed ones in Asia

[@hanawolfgang]

The economy in Malaysia is above the average standard set, they are fine. They may not want to become a rich nation because they want to maintain their old fashion.

[@ravim111]

It is known as the "commodity curse". Commodities that provided a lot of inflow in the early years, which lead to complacency. The country had a per capita income higher than South Korea in the 60s. That is how far it has slipped over the decades.

[@joesama3282]

@@ravim111 You're right! I used to study in Singapore back in 2002 and the currency rate with Malaysia was like 1SGD/2MYD. But then when I went back visit again in 2022 1SGD/3.5MYD. 20 years later, the country is nowhere near competitive on global stage despite having big land with tons of natural resources can't even see the tailight of the much smaller nation with zero natural resource

[@jfj7452]

He was our Prime Minister with whom we placed our trust. Jho Low would NOT have succeeded w/o Najib's foolish GREED.

[@zulamy3472]

Nah. He and his father would run other scams as is the case with most malaysian billionaires.

[@misterbig9025]

In my country we have so many politicians like Najib. They are so powerful and above the law. Congratulations Malaysia for sending him to prison!

[@creamerasant]

Which country is that?

[@ophanimangel3143]

@@creamerasantPhilippines :)

[@tweedy4sg]

SCMP should not just seek the opinion of political analyst from outside of Malaysia. That Kevin chap is from ISEAS, a Singapore institute. It should also seek the opinion local Malaysian analysts to paint a more accurate picture, and there are many of them who are non-partisan.

[@davidlim5]

SCMP so naive. Same as CNN !!!

[@cttommy73]

@@davidlim5 They are not naïve. They are all part of a big club the ordinary people are not a part of.

[@lwyradzly7019]

The corruption case of the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi is not totally closed. Discharge Not Amount to Acquittal DNAA means the Prosecutor still can charge him again in the court of law, if they have enough new evidence to charge him back. This law is as similar as the law in Singapore, Australia and the UK as Malaysian law follows the Common Law of the Commonwealth Countries.

[@yooneunhyesarang9245]

Not "allegedly" stole but already been proven guilty by Federal Court.

[@Nik-mv5hr]

No pardon. 12 years is slap on his wrist. We'll be in debt until our children.

[@yohanesmartino5301]

I wonder why Taib Mahmud, former Sarawak's chief minister, which has much more corruption compared to Najib Razak, are not being charged with corruption until now?

[@simptravelling9121]

cos he smart lol unlike some1

[@zulamy3472]

Towkays there are smarter at hiding money

[@wilsonbethlehem3101]

It doesn't matter. I expect later DNAA(melepas tanpa dibebaskan) for him. His deputy PM got the deputy PM post again and let go of all charges (DNAA). Alot of politicians also let go of corruption charges.

[@Vivinovianafebriani]

Best wishes for Malaysia, this is beautiful country But corrupt people destroying this country

[@inuhundchien6041]

It's embarrassing to stole so much. Just do the normal thing like Mahathir and put all his children in important positions. Why steal when nepotism is easier and more lucrative in the long run? He was also a nepo baby because his father was a prime minister, surely he understands in long term planning.

[@minghengtan]

why did SCMP call Jho a “Financier”?

[@williamlai29]

Jho low pay them to say so maybe?

[@knock-knockwhosthere9933]

Financier is a more sophisticated businessman 😂😂😂

[@madsam0320]

He done what financier do, only better.

[@jfj7452]

JUST AN OPPORTUNIST

[@ultimaxed8239]

Malaysian government and their "employees" in general: Najib and Mahathir go into a bakery on a campaign trail. As soon as they enter the bakery, Najib steals three curry puffs and puts them in his pocket. He says to Mahathir, "See how clever I am? The owner didn't even see anything and I don't even need to lie. I will definitely win these elections." Mahathir says to Najib, "That's the typical dishonesty you have displayed throughout your entire life, trickery and deceit. I am going to show you an honest way to get the same result." Mahathir goes to the owner of the bakery and says, "Give me a curry puff and I will show you a magic trick." Intrigued, the owner accepts and gives him a pastry. Mahathir swallows it and asks for another one. The owner gives him another one and he eats it as well. Then Mahathir asks for a third pastry and eats that, too. The owner is starting to wonder where the magic trick is and asks, "What did you do with the three curry puffs?" Mahathir replies, "Look in Najib's pocket."

[@knock-knockwhosthere9933]

Wooooooowww😮😮😮

[@maxwelllionheart9945]

This is the difference between a fool and a genius. Mahathir's doctorate bukan beli punya tau.

[@chlorophyll6154]

This is a genius move, the difference between a fool and a genius, I know Madey is not a saint but he knows his games well

[@Sernival]

Tl;dr

[@imran8880]

This is brilliant

[@irshviralvideo]

"The government is too rotten " - that tells me people dont understand jack $hit about what this is all about. Nothing will change. At its core 1MDB is actually a nice way of formalizing what HAS TO HAPPEN to get government projects and visionary projects done at the national level. You need to "grease" the wheels with many different influential people in order to make something a reality. Najib took this to its logical extreme where he became the visionary AND the guy to grease in one cohesive setup. Its actually brilliant way to make money for yourself but also get projects through. This has existed since time inmemorial and will continue to exist. All parties need to be greased to make a non profitable project but a visionary project, a reality.

[@lk33433]

That greasing money you refer to comes from the pockets of citizens who pay taxes. All greased wheels are going to end up rust and require more grease sooner or later. Greasing is not the only way! Your greasing method is what fueled people with greed like Najib to abuse his power and the system to siphon money away. What we need is institutional reforms and transparency for a cleaner and more efficient way to make projects go on smoothly. That's how projects can go off efficiently and sustainably in the long run.

[@beelichoong2143]

To : ALL RAKYAT of MALAYSIA PLEASE ! PLEASE WAKE UP !!!!! Our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren & generations will SUFFER!!

[@bukitkatilmp]

No doubt there is endemic corruption in the Malaysian political landscape until now. However, it is less an issue today as it was before 2018. The major issue today is there doesnt seem to be a strong coalition in power. That said, the citizens want the government to tackle the core issue globally which is inflation, caused in prinicipal by the wars outside the country and the impact it has on Southeast Asian currencies.

[@ivannovotny4552]

... and yet, Singapore is a total opposite.

[@yeoboonmeng5300]

​@@ivannovotny4552That's why they were kicked out in '65. They refused to play ball. 😂

[@tangt4860]

Don't be silly. Had same thought a few months ago but after witnessing the daughter being appointed as special aide and many cleared of their numerous corruption charges, the new government is only beginning to explore even more avenues for corruption.

[@bukitkatilmp]

@@tangt4860 Corruption is everywhere, its rampant in Taiwan, Hong Kong, US, and even the UK. What Im saying is it is not as bad as during the pre-2018 era of Malaysia. I would say Singapore is a clean and efficient state. But most of Asia including the places I mentioned earlier are also extremely corrupted.

[@tangt4860]

@@bukitkatilmp Singapore appears clean because of leegalised corruption and a cowed press where the journalists are nothing but media zombies.

[@ChuanTeh]

Before 1MDB we have BMF scandal no one political leaders was charge and this led to the root cause of 1MDB, 😢

[@SocDemSockPuppet]

A mistake at 9:39 … second largest coalition in *Parliament* not government

[@freddie792]

For private sectors, all employees have to sign pledge or attend many procedures to ensure anti bribery system or SOPs in place instead…..

[@davidlim5]

Case closed? Pardon ? Ministers ignorant ???

[@tangt4860]

While many of their victims and accomplices have perished, some very violently, these 2 super corrupt continue to live is relative safety and comfort. What Malaysia is teaching their people is IT really pays to be ultra corrupt while you are the PM.

[@furrycheetah]

To the people of Malaysia especially Malays, don't push your luck just yet.

[@Iris-2023gh]

When Najib became PM many ladies said they chose the right man because he looks smart and able to rule well over the other candidate who looks very kampung. It seems look play a role even in politic?

[@tanjongmalim6869]

The fund is NOT guaranteed by Malaysia sovereign. There js no impact to Malaysia budget.

[@abdulrahimmoin4418]

now all of fighter was silent.. cost now they was cooperate with them.. all of them no used one

[@emca1597]

This wouldn't have happened had Jho Low not brought Najib into his plan, but alas, money is money, even known scam artists are weary of Jho Low.

[@planetmarsvodka5127]

Benjamin Hadiyahooooo did received 90 million behind the toilet , why dont you share some Donation Lollllll

[@thecoffeemaker7444]

why jho lhow went low?

[@suziewan115]

The END is near!

[@aaroncheah2088]

Changes will not happen. Current leaders are either too weak or playing safe.

[@wendyshoowaiching4161]

This social media have no new stories to tell meh. How many old years and citizens also feel up with the story. Please moves on.

[@ExoticPonyMods]

Sorry, MY corrupted to the core. This is what Malaysia is made of. No hope, unless...

[@zulkiflizin8604]

It still has hope integrity must start from the rich people than justice will prevail the problem is the rich opress the poor

[@chlorophyll6154]

A war 😂😂

[@choysum]

Allegedly? You mean found guilty of.

[@ceeril]

I know a lot of crazy stories about ultra rich people "wasting" their fu money, but Jho Low is probably the craziest as it was not even his pocket money. No wonder those Arab oil oligarchs used to have high respect of him.

[@nespar1541]

Whilst JLOW is still enjoying his life.

[@kahhowong3417]

The back stop for endemic corruption in Real Politics is the Constituted Politicks. When Real Politicks becomes the back stop for more than 40 years of endemic corrupt Constitutional Politicks, were is the hope?

[@zulkiflizin8604]

Reject all them united all Malaysia to nilai2 bangsa seperti ketika Independence we need each other that make us strongers not only talk rich more rich poor more poor must more has justice labor justice humanity justice anti corrupt who not only politician but business people the intergrity must start from upper class

[@kahhowong3417]

@@zulkiflizin8604 The hope is in Malaysia's constitutional monarchy uniting the people and not in 40 years of divisive real politicks political caste system favouring the Mogul elite caste.

[@zulkiflizin8604]

​@@kahhowong3417justice can't prevail if only hope to one institution the great nation live by the great people and Malaysia still has hope to be great nation

[@kahhowong3417]

@@zulkiflizin8604 Last Back-Stop when all so called democratic "institutions have been proven failures due to Neo Colonial Mogul Racist Real Politics of the last 40 years (deeply ingrained). The last stop did happen in the last election, where Malaysia's Agong stepped in to stop the rot.

[@Dwn2Race]

Politicians don’t want Jho Low to be found…. It’s not in their Interest…

[@SuspectUsual]

*"The problem is not with Muslims, the problem is with Islam!"* -- Ex-Muslims

[@kaguyasharibu9620]

fak terrorist zionist israel laknatullah

[@vinyong88]

We know how it ends

[@papaleon]

Few decades ago many countries were trying to catch up on Malaysia, today ? well...

[@Nrylw-w6t]

It’s just prove that bolehland is regressing. Nothing more

[@hankxu3457]

Can't imagine Mahathir saying "Restoring the Rule of Law". No wonder he resigned to prevent DSAI from assuming the PM post (as promised by him) as he knows the real definition and impact of the Rule of Law now haunting him and his cronies.

[@tripkulas2054]

This is nothing compared to the rampant corruption in the philippine government both from previous and present government, from top to bottom and across all government agencies. And the worst part, no one gets punished and they continue to hold power. For malaysia, hopes can be seen at least, while in the philippines, all hopes were lost.

[@bowlampar]

Najib willing to do everything for Rosmah, as Jho Low did for Paris Hilton. Here is where both men similarity end. 🤫

[@shukriramlee]

Things are getting better, Malaysia is the only country in this decade who fought the corruption while most other countries including the 'least corrupt' one still drenched with hidden corruption mostly money laundering issues like that one neighbor.

[@harukrentz435]

Look at Indonesia weve been arresting corruptors right, left, centre for more than 2 decades it barely made big news anymore 😂

[@shukriramlee]

@@harukrentz435 Indonesia still unable to fight the corruption.

[@harukrentz435]

​@@shukriramleeyou should be worry if your country suddenly stop fighting corruption. Its endless task.

[@shukriramlee]

@@harukrentz435 I think only Malaysia at this time fighting the boss of corruption. Most other countries neither sleep or catch some small fishes.

[@frankyong2607]

The corruption case of 1MDB proceeded in Malaysia only when the case was exposed internationally when DOJ, USA investigated Goldman Sachs and asserted the number one public servant of Malaysia is involved.

[@usiohaki295]

Corruption is not under Hudud law declared PAS leader. Maybe why they are so forgiving towards Najib.

[@WilhelminaBarnett-s6h]

Bailey Prairie

[@chlorophyll6154]

The fact this Najib guy can walk in public like a total chad and people still believe he is a saint told how rotten this country was

[@beedavid]

At 2:55 - "Rosmah jailed". True?

[@yaoyangtan]

9:48 wrong flag used for Bersatu.

[@JamesBrunson-u3p]

Elisabeth Lodge

[@nkt0811]

wish got some person in Malaysia come out and introduce as “the destroyer of all, harbinger of rebirth”…

[@ahchaieliaswong1996]

What law. The law of corruption

[@zainollinzainol4084]

Political party fund so rampan in US, no one talk about it

[@shin4655]

The question is not why Anwar halted and discharges the corrupted Zahid. The question is why people elected Anwar ? Just like US President Obama used to say, it's not why Trump become the president. It's why people voted for Trump.

[@DwainWhaltey-j8j]

Hermann Island

[@EiZekel-s4y]

can't published bad thing about ccp

[@RR-vn2vw]

Coming soon, Philippines!

[@SuspectUsual]

*"For Humanity to continue, the Evil Cult of Islam must end!"*

[@kaguyasharibu9620]

fak terrorist zionist israel laknatullah

[@hobolu5676]

❤Najib❤

[@ZimmermanHansom-m5l]

Carroll Meadows

[@rufidmonkey7840]

plus we have a palestine PMX, weak leadership skill and NATO

[@VirginiaGarcia-p1p]

Hickle Meadows

[@rbh513]

Corruptocracy.

[@drbilltay]

at least we are biggest issue in the world, over perform than singapore.

[@Nrylw-w6t]

几够力一下喔

[@SuspectUsual]

*"Terrorism has no religion, but one Evil Cult has monopoly over Terrorism!"*

[@waltersimmons9512]

You okay bud?

[@kaguyasharibu9620]

fak terrorist zionist israel laknatullah

[@full-timeCyberArmy]

If you want tranformation wait until 5 years then..

[@babyshaya]

All governments are corrupt but Muslim majority governments take it to the next level. When Singapore broke from Malaysia, they were tiers below Malaysia but in a few short years they've broken free from a Muslim majority and is now a first world country. Most Muslim countries are not first world unless they have oil and even then they're only kinda first world.

[@lekklula6744]

What bro yapping about?

[@jarrodyuki7081]

jho low is intp najib estj.,.......................

[@somestranger2524]

itu pon ramai yg 'buta' 🤣🤣🤣

[@RobertaMcMinn-j7s]

Koelpin Views

[@Hs5687]

Ironic, Funds from One Scandal used to Fund a Very Successful Film glorying another Bigger Scandal… Hilarious 😂 …

[@Lohn_Ad]

Karma for the curruption

[@RomelJohan]

Dup ohhh Duppppp!

[@davidlim5]

Mamak will be exposed soon !?!

[@lampsbright8062]

Najib is a thief

[@saithegamer8353]

First view first comment first like

[@ivannovotny4552]

saith Wow, congrats on your incredible achievement.

[@ghitam6]

Memalukan Negara

[@Mdsagor111Khan]

Najim rajjak gd Malaysia government

[@nurilraimi6307]

Malay nationalist…. Hehe… Malay Supremacist baru betul

[@Tanxiachen]

malusia😂

[@DannyMcDermott-i1s]

Waelchi Views

[@Maximus0187]

President Xi said Jho Low is staying with me in Beijing and with lump sum of $$$ that Jho Low donated to CCP. 🤣😂

[@XJLCA]

Nonsense!

[@akzester]

Do you have any solid evidence to back up the claim you made?

[@tankgod888]

Xi Jinping is amazed by Jho Low yacht event party with pretty girls that he'll keep him untouched in China so he can join his party.

[@AhmetTekin101]

No wonder Xi's relatives are all multimillionaires.

[@ChuanTeh]

That's why I love the CPC

[@martinh619]

Always easy to control people with religion sentiment

[@robust5615]

sembang lari la....duduk atas je.semua rembat ..sekarang ke..dulu ke.sama je perangai Yahudi ...phui

[@jbsolife4858]

The inspiration Of Maharlika Investment Fund ❤ hahahahahahahaha

[@kanpakloykan7105]

There is a dayinh. If thebull or cow do. O eant to drink water, there is no way of doing so.

[@kanpakloykan7105]

Actually. That mahatail the very old.a.am jn .amak is. I better. In fact, he's the one that started oall those vorruption himself.