Nooryana Najwa says former prime minister Najib Razak has not returned home under house arrest as his RM50 million fine under the conditional pardon remains unpaid.
PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak has not returned home to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest as the RM50 million fine imposed under the conditional pardon has yet to be paid, according to his daughter Nooryana Najwa.
In a Facebook post today, Nooryana said Najib had expressed surprise and gratitude over the public support following the decision allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
“Daddy really did not expect so many people to be willing to contribute. I would never force it on anyone,” she quoted Najib as saying.
Nooryana said many friends and followers had asked whether Najib had returned home, adding that the questions were driven by concern and affection for him.
“Many friends and followers have asked, ‘Has DSN (Datuk Seri Najib) returned home?’
“I know the question comes from love and concern. Everyone who cares for Bossku would surely want to see him return home to be with his family.
“For now, no. The decision of the Pardons Board states that the house arrest is subject to the payment of the RM50 million fine first. As a family, we fully respect the decision,” she wrote.
Nooryana said Najib had conveyed through his lawyer’s statement that if the RM50 million was raised through voluntary contributions under the DSN Solidarity Fund, all payment arrangements and subsequent processes would be carried out through official channels.
“I understand that the fine has to be paid to the court first. The court will then issue a payment receipt, and the receipt will be submitted to the prison authorities.
“Only then can the prison authorities issue a release order for the house arrest process,” she said.
UMNO launched the DSN Solidarity Fund on Sept 18 after party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it would help Najib settle the RM50 million fine required under the conditional pardon.
UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said in social media posts that the fund collected RM165,645 in its first hour, RM634,562.02 within three hours and reached RM1 million by 9.30am the following day.
Nooryana said the family was deeply moved by UMNO’s efforts to lead the solidarity fund, but stressed that contributions were voluntary and based on each individual’s ability.
“DSN never wanted to burden the party or the people. Every contribution is entirely voluntary and according to each person’s ability. There is no compulsion or obligation on anyone to contribute,” she said.
She said Najib made the remarks during a family visit yesterday, when he repeatedly expressed how touched he was by members of the public who were willing to contribute.
“Thank you once again for every prayer, contribution and act of kindness. It truly means more than you know,” she quoted him as saying.
On Sept 18, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim granted Najib a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of the RM50 million fine and compliance with the conditions imposed.
Najib has been serving his sentence since Aug 23, 2022, after the Federal Court upheld his conviction and sentence in the SRC International case.
