Damansara MP Tony Pua said today’s verdict was “good news after months of depressing news” since the change of government.

“Today, Malaysians look to celebrate as the judiciary demonstrates its teeth and impartiality,” he said in a Twitter post.

Hang Tuah Jaya MP Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said a long journey remained before Najib could be put behind bars but expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal and Federal Court would uphold the verdict against the former prime minister.

Former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, who was a vocal critic of 1MDB and SRC International, applauded the decision, saying it was worth the sacrifice leading up to it.

“I very rarely comment on anything political nowadays. But I did spend many years on the frontline dealing with 1MDB and SRC scandals as an MP.

“I never expected much from those years, but I did feel that all the heartbreaks were well worth it today. Well done, Malaysia,” he said in a Twitter post.

Subang MP Wong Chen meanwhile described the decision as a “great day for justice in Malaysia”.

The decision was likewise welcomed by Clare Rewcastle-Brown and Tom Wright, both of whom had extensively covered the scandal.

Rewcastle-Brown, who broke the news about the scandal surrounding 1MDB, said the verdict was unsurprising for those who had followed the trial closely, adding that it was reassuring to hear the reasoning from High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.

Noting that Najib would undoubtedly appeal the decision, she said it was nevertheless a “devastating and uncompromising verdict without a hint of doubt about it”.

“At least the court has remained independent. I especially liked that the judge made the point that surely Najib would have sent the king of Saudi Arabia a thank-you note if he thought that was where the money came from!” she told FMT.