Jailed Malaysian Ex-Leader Najib Allowed House Arrest
Convicted in the 1MDB scandal for embezzling millions, former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak had repeatedly sought clemency.
Malaysia's king has granted former Prime Minister Najib Razak a conditional pardon, permitting him to complete his prison sentence under house arrest, according to the prime minister's legal department. The 73-year-old was convicted in 2018 for his role in a corruption scandal involving the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
As part of the decision, Najib must pay a fine of 50 million ringgit ($12.27 million). This is the second pardon Najib has received; in 2024, the previous king reduced his 12-year sentence and fines. Najib had previously claimed the decision also allowed him to serve his term under house arrest, but efforts to secure that provision have failed.
It remains unclear when Najib will begin serving his sentence under house arrest. Najib was convicted in a separate 1MDB-related case in December 2023, facing 15 years in prison and a $2.8 billion fine for abuse of power and money laundering, which he has appealed. The 1MDB scandal saw over $1 billion allegedly transferred into accounts linked to Najib, who maintains his innocence, stating he has been singled out as the scapegoat for a complex scheme involving up to $4.5 billion in misappropriated funds, according to US investigators.
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