Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak is set to leave prison and serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, after his political party paid the RM50 million fine that stood as the final condition of a royal pardon. His lawyer confirmed on Friday that the court has issued the order for his transfer from Kajang Prison, where he has been held since 2022. Najib, 73, could be home in Kuala Lumpur today if the remaining procedures allow it.
FAKTA
- Fine paid: RM50 million (about US$12.3 million), paid on 6 November 2026
- Pardon: conditional pardon by King Sultan Ibrahim, 18 September 2026
- House arrest until: 23 August 2028, the end of his reduced six-year term
- In prison since: 23 August 2022
- Conviction: SRC International case, RM42 million, seven charges
- Still pending: separate 1MDB conviction, 15 years and a US$2.8 billion fine, under appeal
Fine Paid, Court Order Issued
The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Najib’s party, confirmed on Friday that the full amount had been paid at the Kuala Lumpur High Court that morning. The money was raised through a public fundraising campaign, the Najib Razak Solidarity Fund, launched on 18 September. UMNO secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the fund had reached its target.
Najib’s lawyer, Muhammad Farhan Shafee, told reporters the court had then issued the order for house arrest under the pardon, and that it would now be delivered to Kajang Prison. Najib could not pay it himself, as his bank accounts remain frozen.
A Long Road From the 1MDB Scandal
Najib was Malaysia’s prime minister from 2009 to 2018 and co-founded the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). He was convicted over RM42 million belonging to SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary, on charges of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering. The Federal Court upheld the conviction in August 2022, and he began a 12-year term with a RM210 million fine.
In January 2024, the Federal Territories Pardons Board halved his term to six years and cut the fine to RM50 million. US investigators estimate as much as US$4.5 billion was diverted in the wider scheme. Najib has consistently denied wrongdoing.
Political Reactions and What Comes Next
The house arrest applies only to the SRC International case. In December last year, Najib received a separate 15-year sentence and a US$2.8 billion fine in another 1MDB-related case. He has appealed and asked for the sentence to be suspended, citing his health and inability to pay. A judge rejected the request last month.
The decision has drawn criticism. Tony Pua, a former lawmaker who helped expose the 1MDB scandal, criticised UMNO for raising millions to pay the fine, arguing the money could have supported ordinary Malaysians. UMNO is part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition, while Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan alliance has strongly opposed leniency towards Najib. The transfer could raise tensions in the coalition ahead of the next general election, due in early 2028. For more international news, visit Watan News.
