Lawyer dismisses rumours of Malaysia’s Najib settling US$12.3 million fine
Lawyers for Malaysia’s jailed former prime minister Najib Razak on Wednesday dismissed speculation about his imminent transfer to house arrest, as his former ruling party struggles to raise the 50 million ringgit (US$12.3 million) fine needed to bring him home. The rumours came as Najib’s United Malays National Organisation (Umno) seeks to build on recent electoral victories, with analysts saying…
KUALA LUMPUR: As of 3.30pm today, there was no evidence that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's representative had remitted the RM50 million fine necessary for him to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest. No trace of the payment appeared in the High Court registry or payment counter. Should the fine have been paid, it would be settled via a bank draft, pending any subsequent court order.
Speculation about the payment had prompted journalists and photographers to gather at the court premises earlier today. Najib's lead lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, stated he could not confirm if the payment would be made in the days to come, merely noting that no instructions were issued so far. Co-counsel Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee echoed the same sentiment, indicating he had no knowledge about the payment, but expected to receive information even if a third party intended to make it.
On September 18, Najib received a conditional pardon from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, which allowed him to serve the remainder of his 12-year jail term and RM210 million fine under house arrest until August 23, 2028.
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