Former Prime Minister Najib Razak cannot currently pay the RM50 million fine required for him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest, according to his lawyer.
Speaking to reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex on Friday (Sept 25), Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said several of Najib’s bank accounts remain frozen, leaving him unable to come up with the money.
Shafee also said Najib had never asked the public to donate towards the fine.
Why does he need to pay RM50 million?
Najib was granted a conditional pardon on Sept 18 that would allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.
But the arrangement comes with conditions, including payment of the RM50 million fine. His legal team previously said he would remain at Kajang Prison until the fine is paid to the court.
The firm also said much of his property and other assets are subject to freezing orders or government enforcement action.
A separate court decision is still pending
Paying the fine would not, on its own, settle when Najib could begin house arrest.
He is also seeking to postpone the 15 year prison sentence imposed in his separate 1MDB case. That application is due to be heard on Oct 14.
Shafee said Najib could potentially leave prison to begin house arrest if the court grants the postponement and the RM50 million fine is paid, reported Berita Harian.
He stressed that the move would still depend on the steps needed to put the arrangement in place and any legal issues that arise.
As of Friday, Shafee said Najib had yet to receive the official letter setting out the conditional pardon.
