Malaysian MP gets 30 months in prison

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia, Feb 7 (AFP): A senior Malaysian opposition politician was jailed for 30 months on Wednesday after he was found guilty of leaking confidential banking details, disqualifying him from elections expected to be called within months.

Rafizi Ramli, vice-president of the People's Justice party of jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, was found guilty of illegally releasing six years ago financial details related to the National Feedlot Corporation, which was set up to promote the beef industry. He alleged the details proved corruption.

Since the sentence is more than one year, he is barred by law from contesting elections for five years.

Political analysts expect Prime Minister Najib Razak to call a general election within months to seek a new mandate after weathering allegations of massive corruption linked to state investment fund 1MDB.

Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has emerged from retirement to lead an opposition coalition to challenge Najib.