Home Ministry says ready to carry out Najib’s house arrest; court order today cleared the air

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — The Home Ministry has declared its readiness to enforce a new court order mandating former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to remain on house arrest until August 2028. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail conveyed this readiness in a statement, commending the High Court's recent decision that clarified legal uncertainties surrounding Najib's house arrest.

The High Court, in Kuala Lumpur, revoked an earlier November 6 "Order of Discharge on Payment of Fine" and replaced it with a fresh order compelling Najib to serve his remaining prison term under house arrest till August 23, 2028. The house arrest will be carried out at Najib's private abode at No 11, Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta, Kuala Lumpur.

The former prime minister, donned in a light blue baju Melayu, was escorted from Kajang Prison to the court proceedings this afternoon. Following a November 6 decision, Umno had settled Najib's RM50 million fine as part of Yang di-Pertuan Agong's conditional pardon, facilitating his house arrest under the SRC International case.

However, Najib continued to reside in Kajang Prison due to the AGC's concerns over legal ambiguities concerning Najib's house arrest. This afternoon, the AGC petitioned the High Court to rectify the earlier order and to issue a new court order enabling Najib's house arrest, which led to today's court proceedings. Saifuddin underscored that the delay in implementing Najib's house arrest was due to legal disputes regarding the conditional pardon's interpretation and its impact on the remaining sentence's execution via house arrest.

He emphasized that the Home Ministry and Prisons Department would ensure each decision related to the execution of the sentence and detention adheres to the law and valid court orders. Acknowledging the political ramifications and public perception surrounding this case, Saifuddin urged all parties to handle the situation with maturity and responsibility, refraining from allowing political polemics to undermine public confidence in the country's institutions.

He concluded by reaffirming the federal government's commitment to safeguarding the Malay rulers' role within Malaysia's constitutional monarchy framework, by upholding constitutional supremacy, rule of law, and the judiciary's independence.