Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak has been granted a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest at his luxury residence, officials confirmed Friday. The move was authorized by Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, who holds sole discretion over granting pardons.
Najib, 73, was convicted in 2020 on multiple charges including corruption, money laundering, and abuse of power connected to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, which involved the alleged misappropriation of billions from a state investment fund. He was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined 210 million ringgit (approximately $51 million). His sentence was later reduced to six years by the previous king, Sultan Abdullah, leaving about two years remaining. The conditional pardon permits Najib to complete this period under house arrest provided he pays a fine of 50 million ringgit (around $12.2 million).
The pardon, which has drawn significant public scrutiny, has intensified perceptions of a two-tiered justice system favoring Malaysia’s political elite. Critics highlight that the ruling fuels concerns about inequality in the country’s judicial process. Professor James Chin of the University of Tasmania noted ongoing public disenchantment regarding preferential treatment of influential figures. Opposition voices and civil society groups have voiced unease over the decision, particularly given its timing and the continued involvement of Najib’s party, UMNO, in the current governing coalition.
Najib’s supporters, including members of UMNO, have launched a fundraising campaign to meet the payment demand. His wife, Rosmah Mansor, herself facing similar corruption charges, expressed gratitude for donations received from Malaysia and international supporters, describing the gesture as a display of loyalty amid ongoing legal battles. Najib’s legal team has reported that many of his assets remain frozen or seized, complicating efforts to raise the required funds.
Since his initial conviction, Najib has faced further legal challenges. In December, he was found guilty in a separate 1MDB-related case and sentenced to a 15-year prison term with a nearly $2.8 billion fine, both of which he is appealing. Should these appeals fail, he is expected to return to prison following the completion of his house arrest.
The pardon has also had political ramifications. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose coalition government relies partly on UMNO’s support after the 2022 hung parliament election, distanced himself from the pardon, reiterating his commitment to combating corruption. Nonetheless, the decision has triggered dissent within the ruling alliance; Democratic Action Party leader and Transport Minister Anthony Loke resigned in protest over the pardon.
The 1MDB scandal remains a highly sensitive and ongoing issue in Malaysia and abroad. Other key figures linked to the case have been prosecuted internationally, including Roger Ng, a former Goldman Sachs banker sentenced in the U.S., and Jho Low, a Malaysian businessman and fugitive accused of masterminding the scheme. Low has also sought a pardon in the United States, adding to the complex legal saga surrounding the scandal.