Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been found guilty of one count of abuse of power in a trial related to the 1MDB scandal.

According to the Straits Times on July 28, High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali ruled that the 67-year-old was guilty on one count of abuse of power concerning the misappropriation of RM42 million (S$13.6 million) from SRC International, which was a subsidiary of 1MDB.

Najib faces additional charges in this first of five trials, including three charges of criminal breach of trust and three charges of money laundering.

Each charge of corruption carries a maximum jail term of 20 years, and each money-laundering count is punishable by a term of up to 15 years, according to the New Straits Times.

Najib is likely to appeal, but if the conviction is upheld, it could bar him from political office.

Rushed approval for loan

According to Malaysiakini, Mohd Nazlan ruled there was "no dispute" that Cabinet's approval for the Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP) loan of RM2 billion to SRC was "rushed".

He said Najib made a request, which was conveyed to the investment panel of KWAP. At the time, Najib was Finance Minister and in charge of KWAP.

The judge will read out the verdicts on the other charges Najib faces later today.

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