Najib fails to secure stay of 15-year jail term, RM11.38b fine in 1MDB case

A Malaysian court on Wednesday ruled against a request from former Prime Minister Najib Razak to postpone a 15-year prison sentence related to the 1MDB scandal, despite rumors he might be transferred to house arrest following a pardon in another case. Najib is currently incarcerated since 2022 after being found guilty of corruption and money laundering tied to the alleged theft of billions from 1Malaysia Development Berhad, a state fund he established while premier in 2009. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

In December, Najib was also found guilty of abuse of power and money laundering in a separate case, receiving a 15-year prison term and a fine of $2.8 billion, which he sought to suspend until his appeal. His legal team argued that he was in declining health and that the fines were unpayable, but Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nordin decided that no special circumstances justified a stay of the sentence. The court emphasized the gravity of the offense and its importance to public interest.

Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Najib's lawyer, said he would file a new application for a stay at the Court of Appeal. The decision is a setback for Najib, who previously received a royal pardon in 2024, reducing his original 12-year sentence to 15 years. If his house arrest concludes in August 2028, his 15-year jail term will begin. A 50 million ringgit ($12.25 million) fine must be paid before he can be transferred to house arrest.

Najib's transfer to house arrest hinges on his ability to pay a 50 million ringgit fine. His political party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), has launched a fundraising campaign to support Najib, who claims he cannot afford the fine due to frozen bank accounts. The royal pardon has further divided the administration of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, including UMNO.

Anwar's chief advisor, Anthony Loke, even offered to resign as transport minister after the pardon was announced, suggesting he would remain in the cabinet only until Najib begins his house arrest.