Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pension payments have been temporarily halted while he serves his sentence under house arrest, though other entitlements remain intact.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pension payments have been temporarily halted, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed in the Dewan Rakyat.
Saifuddin explained that the benefits and entitlements available to former prime ministers were regulated under the Federal Constitution, relevant Cabinet circulars and the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act.
However, he said Najib’s current status as a convicted prisoner serving his sentence was also taken into consideration when determining his entitlement to such benefits.
“My understanding is that only his pension payments have been suspended for the time being, but he can still enjoy the other benefits unless there is another decision,” he said during the question-and-answer session today.
He added that the matter came under the purview of the Legal Affairs Division.
Najib began serving the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest on Nov 10, following a Kuala Lumpur High Court ruling permitting the arrangement with immediate effect.
The decision followed an application by the Attorney-General’s Chambers to review an earlier release order issued on Nov 6.
Najib was convicted in July 2020 of misappropriating RM42 million belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd. He was initially sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and fined RM210 million.
However, both his prison term and fine were subsequently reduced following a conditional pardon granted by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim.
On Sept 18, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, which serves as the secretariat to the Pardons Board, announced that the King had consented to reducing Najib’s fine to RM50 million as part of the conditional pardon.
Najib’s defence counsel subsequently confirmed on Nov 6 that the RM50 million fine had been paid in full.
