ABIM calls the High Court’s 1MDB ruling a manifestation of institutional justice, urging it to be a catalyst for governance reforms and a lesson for all.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) has stated that the High Court’s decision in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case should be seen as a manifestation of justice, not a political victory.
ABIM president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said the ruling was the result of a long and transparent legal process based on evidence and the rule of law.
“It should be accepted with full maturity as the basis for restoring public confidence in the judicial system and national institutions,” he said in a statement.
He emphasised that justice arose from a collective ecosystem including investigative journalists, whistleblowers, and officers of integrity, not merely the courage of one individual.
Ahmad Fahmi described the 1MDB scandal as a crime against trust that robbed the future of the younger generation and damaged the country’s international reputation.
“This fact reflects the failure of governance due to the centralisation of power without an effective oversight mechanism,” he said.
He stated the heavy sentence was a reminder that betrayal of public trust has serious consequences, not an act of revenge.
The decision should catalyse reforms to strengthen checks and balances, judicial independence, and transparency in public fund management, he urged.
“ABIM urges that the lessons of the 1MDB scandal be used to reassess the centralisation of executive and fiscal power,” Ahmad Fahmi said.
This includes discussing the separation of the Prime Minister and Finance Minister roles, as well as the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor.
He concluded that the verdict must be an important lesson against the normalisation of large-scale corruption for politicians and the younger generation.
