Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been granted permission to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest, but obstacles remain before he can be released from custody. The 73-year-old, convicted on charges related to the misappropriation of funds from SRC International, a former unit of state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), must first pay a substantial fine and adhere to strict conditions established by the authorities.
Najib's house arrest arrangement was approved on Friday by the Federal Territories Pardons Board, chaired by King Sultan Ibrahim, allowing him to serve the remainder of his six-year SRC sentence at home until August 23, 2028. The board’s decision, however, is contingent upon Najib settling a 50 million ringgit fine—equivalent to roughly HK$96 million—and complying with all other terms of the pardon. Any violation could result in Najib being returned to prison, according to the official statement.
Efforts to raise the fine began immediately following the pardon. The United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the party Najib once led for nine years, launched a solidarity fund that reportedly collected about 1 million ringgit within a day. Despite this, Attorney General Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar confirmed that the fine had not yet been paid to the Kuala Lumpur High Court registrar, a necessary step before Najib can be transferred out of prison. He added that even after the fine is settled, processing the transfer may take additional time. Legal representatives have noted complications in raising the money, as many of Najib’s assets remain frozen or are subject to government enforcement.
Najib’s legal team had previously cited a 2024 royal decree, accompanying his sentence commutation that halved his 12-year jail term and reduced an initial 210 million ringgit fine, to support his request for house arrest. However, Malaysia’s High Court ruled in December that the order was unenforceable due to the absence of legal provisions for house arrest in the country and the lack of explicit discussion on this matter by the Pardons Board. Najib eventually withdrew his appeal earlier this year.
Malaysia currently lacks specific legislation regulating house arrest, prompting authorities to examine existing prison rules as a framework for Najib’s new detention arrangement. Police and prison officials have conducted assessments of Najib’s Kuala Lumpur residence, located in the upscale Langgak Duta neighborhood, where a mobile police station has been deployed nearby. Experts suggest that Najib’s home may effectively be designated as a prison, subjecting him to prison-like restrictions, such as limitations on electronic devices and visitors.
Even if Najib successfully transitions to house arrest for the SRC charges, his broader legal troubles persist. In a separate 1MDB case involving 2.3 billion ringgit, he was convicted and sentenced to an additional 15 years in prison in December. His lawyers are appealing this conviction, but if upheld, Najib would be required to return to prison once his house arrest term ends in 2028.
The recent pardon has generated political ripples within Malaysia. Umno, which has regained electoral strength in recent state elections, continues to push for Najib’s release, but his status remains a divisive issue within the ruling coalition headed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Opposition from key coalition members, notably the Democratic Action Party (DAP), has intensified, with DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke resigning as transport minister in protest of the house arrest decision.
Political analysts view the situation as a double-edged sword for Umno. While it may strengthen support among some traditional Malay voters, it risks alienating middle-class and anti-corruption constituencies that have grown skeptical of the party. The future of Najib’s legal and political fate remains uncertain as Malaysia navigates a complex intersection of justice and electoral politics.