Najib's lawyer: House arrest should help reintegrate prisoners

House arrest should be viewed as a tool for gradually reintegrating prisoners into society, rather than a privilege for VIPs, according to Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, the lawyer for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Shafee addressed the public's speculation about how house arrest would function after Najib received a conditional pardon.

The purpose of house arrest is not to provide special treatment to VIPs like Najib, nor should it be reserved exclusively for wealthy offenders. Shafee emphasized that everyone is eligible for house arrest. He pointed out that long-term imprisonment can isolate prisoners from the social environment they are familiar with. Shafee also dismissed the notion that Najib's residence should be transformed into a conventional prison with barbed wire, lighting, and armed security. He argued that such a setup contradicts the underlying reasons for granting house arrest.