Former prime minister Najib Razak was granted a conditional pardon on Sept 18 that could allow him to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest. Yet he still remains in Kajang Prison.
So what still needs to happen? Here is what has been announced and what his lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said today.
1. The pardon concerns his SRC International sentence
The conditional pardon allows Najib to serve the remainder of his SRC International prison sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, provided he meets the conditions set for him.
As WeirdKaya previously reported, his SRC sentence was reduced from 12 years to six years in 2024. The fine was also reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million.
2. The RM50 million fine must be paid first
Paying the fine is a condition of the house arrest arrangement. Najib’s legal team said he would remain in Kajang Prison until the payment is made to the court.
He must also comply with the other conditions of the pardon. According to the conditional pardon, failing to do so would negate the pardon and require him to serve the remainder of his sentence in prison.
3. Najib currently can’t afford the fine
At a press conference, Shafee said Najib could not come up with RM50 million because several of his bank accounts remain frozen.
Najib’s legal firm had previously said that a significant portion of his assets and properties were also subject to freezing orders or government enforcement action.
The firm said Najib did not have full control over the disposal of some of those assets. These are explanations given by his legal team about his ability to pay.
4. Did Najib ask the public to contribute?
Shafee said Najib had never asked the public for donations to pay the fine.
A fundraising drive was launched, and Najib’s daughter said the support had touched their family. His legal team, however, said he did not want anyone to feel burdened or obliged to contribute.
5. There is a separate 1MDB prison sentence
The conditional pardon relates to the SRC International case. Najib also faces a separate 15 year prison sentence in his 1MDB case.
He has applied to postpone the implementation of that sentence. This is why paying the SRC fine alone would not necessarily mean he could leave prison: the separate sentence also needs to be addressed.
6. The High Court hearing is set for Oct 14
The High Court is scheduled to hear Najib’s application concerning the 1MDB sentence on Oct 14.
Shafee said that if the court grants the postponement and Najib pays the RM50 million fine, he could potentially leave prison to begin house arrest. The court has not yet decided the application.
7. Could he leave prison that same day?
According to Shafee, it is possible in principle if both matters are settled. He also cautioned that the timing would depend on the steps needed to carry out the arrangement and any legal issues that arise.
That makes a departure on Oct 14 a possibility raised by his lawyer, not a confirmed date.
8. Where would the house arrest take place?
Shafee identified Najib’s residence in Langgak Duta, Kuala Lumpur, as the proposed location. He said its guarded gate and single exit would make access easier to control.
However, he could not confirm that Najib would definitely stay there. The final location still depends on official directions and documents, he said.
Shafee said that, as of today, Najib had not received the official letter concerning the conditional pardon.
He described house arrest as living at home subject to conditions, with a return to prison possible if those conditions are breached. The specific arrangements for Najib will depend on the official directions and documents.
For now, there is no confirmed date for Najib to begin house arrest. The fine remains unpaid, while the court hearing on his separate 1MDB sentence is scheduled for Oct 14.
Najib Does Not Have RM50mil To Pay Fine For House Arrest, Says Lawyer
