Still entangled in corruption, Najib Razak still wants to run for parliament in 2023

Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak has not ruled out running for re-election to parliament within the next two years. Najib told Reuters in an interview.

The plan does not appear to have been affected by the corruption case that ensnared Najib from running for re-election.

Najib's corruption-tainted party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), won the premiership last month after being ousted from power three years ago over a multi-billion dollar corruption scandal.

Opponents have expressed concern that party leaders facing charges could get leniency once they are back in control of government.

Najib, who served as prime minister for nine years until 2018, was found guilty of corruption last year and sentenced to 12 years in prison for one of many cases of misappropriating funds from the now-defunct state fund 1MDB.

However, tips memilih situs togel online he has consistently denied wrongdoing and has appealed the verdict.

Najib is still a member of parliament but the constitution forbids him from running in elections unless he gets a pardon or reprieve from the country's king.

But speaking to Reuters on Saturday, Najib challenged his disqualification saying: "It depends on interpretation."

"It depends on interpretation in terms of the law, the constitution and whatever happens in the court process," Najib said.

Asked if he would run for the next election scheduled for 2023, he said: "Any politician who wants to play a role will want a seat in parliament."