Biography of Najib Razak
Mohammad Najib bin Abdul Razak, born on 23 July 1953, is a prominent Malaysian politician who served as the country's sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2009 to 2018. Born in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, he is the eldest son of Abdul Razak Hussein, the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Rahah Mohamed Noah. His ascent in politics has had significant impacts on Malaysia's political landscape, though his tenure is often remembered for controversies such as the 1MDB scandal.
Early Life and Education
Najib Razak was born at the Pahang State Secretary's official residence in Bukit Bius. Coming from a lineage deeply rooted in Malaysian politics, Najib received his early education at Malvern College, Worcestershire, England. He then pursued higher education at the University of Nottingham, where he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial economics in 1974. Upon his return to Malaysia, Najib initially joined the business sector and worked at Bank Negara Malaysia and later at Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil company.
Political Career
Najib Razak's political journey began after the untimely demise of his father, Abdul Razak. In 1976, at the age of 23, he was elected unopposed to the Parliament of Malaysia representing the Pahang-based constituency of Pekan, marking the beginning of his long political journey.
Over the years, Najib held numerous significant portfolios in the Malaysian government. He served as the Minister of Defence, Minister of Education, and Minister of Finance, among other roles. His tenure in these capacities saw various reforms and developments in Malaysia’s defense, education, and economic sectors.
Prime Ministership
Najib Razak became the Prime Minister of Malaysia on 3 April 2009, succeeding Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. His administration focused on economic transformation programs intending to liberalize the economy and improve infrastructure. These policies were part of his "1Malaysia" initiative, aimed at fostering national unity among the diverse ethnic groups in Malaysia.
1MDB Scandal
One of the most notorious aspects of Najib's tenure was the 1MDB scandal. The scandal involved allegations of embezzlement and money laundering linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad, a government-owned investment fund. Investigations revealed that approximately $700 million had allegedly been diverted to Najib's personal bank accounts. This scandal had widespread international implications and led to numerous investigations across several countries.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Despite his ambition and political strategies, Najib's tenure was marred by numerous controversies, with the 1MDB scandal being the most prominent. It eventually led to his downfall in the 2018 general elections. In July 2020, Najib was convicted on charges of abuse of power, money laundering, and criminal breach of trust, thus marking a significant turn in his political career.
Personal Life
Najib Razak is married to Rosmah Mansor, and the couple has two children together. He also has three other children from his first marriage to Tengku Puteri Zainah Tengku Eskandar. His brother, Nazir Razak, is a notable banker and the former chairman of CIMB Group Holdings.