Pending US$12.3 million house arrest fine keeps Malaysia’s Najib in prison

Malaysian former Prime Minister Najib Razak remains in Kajang Prison as he and his legal team review the terms of his conditional pardon, which requires a 50 million ringgit (US$12.3 million) fine before he can be transferred to house arrest. The statement issued on his behalf by Shafee & Co. mentioned that until the fine is paid, Najib will continue to be in Kajang Prison.

The statement also highlighted that a significant portion of his assets, bank accounts, and properties are under freezing orders and enforcement proceedings by the government, making it challenging for him to meet the fine condition. Najib is currently under legal advice and considering his options to fulfill the condition. Malaysia's Prisons Department and the home affairs ministry are awaiting official written confirmation of the pardon before taking any further action.

The home affairs minister has the authority to designate a premise as a prison, which could potentially include Najib's home. Najib expressed gratitude to various individuals and groups for their support but emphasized that he does not want Umno members, supporters, or the public to feel obligated to help him. His legal team declined further comment at the time.

Najib has been incarcerated at Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022, for misappropriating 42 million ringgit from a former unit of the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad. On Friday, Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar granted Najib a conditional pardon, enabling him to serve the remaining time of his 2022-2028 sentence under house arrest.