Najib arrives at High Court to seek stay of 15-year 1MDB sentence

In a move that has garnered significant attention, former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak made his way to the High Court on September 25, seeking to have the execution of his 15-year prison sentence and RM11.38 billion fine delayed. The application, filed nine months after the original sentence was handed down by Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, is set to be heard by Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin.

Najib, who is currently serving his sentence at Kajang Prison under a conditional pardon granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim on September 18, appeared in a light grey suit and white shirt, under tight security as he arrived from Kajang Prison at 8.30am. The exact deadline for him to pay the RM50 million fine, a condition for him to continue serving his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, has not yet been set.

Four charges are currently against Najib, who is accused of abusing his position to obtain RM2.3 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Should he fail to pay the fine, he would be ordered to serve an additional 10 years in prison for each charge.