In brief
After paying a 50‑million‑ringgit fine and completing a medical exam, former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was escorted back to Kajang Prison on Friday. His house‑arrest transfer has been postponed, with the Attorney General's Chambers citing a need for further legal review. The move follows an earlier conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was taken back to Kajang Prison on Friday evening after completing a medical examination, following the payment of a 50‑million‑ringgit fine tied to his SRC International corruption case. The move came after his special officer, Ahmad Lutfi Azhar, facilitated the fine payment at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, as reported by Xinhua and local newspaper Berita Harian.
Najib arrived at Kuala Lumpur Hospital for a mandatory medical assessment on Friday afternoon. After the exam, he was escorted to the prison later that evening. The transfer was documented by a local media outlet and confirmed by his lawyer, Farhan Shafee, who said the court had issued a house‑arrest order earlier that day.
Legal status remains under review
However, Malaysia’s Attorney General’s Chambers announced that the implementation of Najib’s house arrest has been temporarily deferred pending further legal clarification. The statement said he would remain at the current detention facility until authorities provide new instructions or orders, according to the agency.
The transfer to house arrest had been authorized under a conditional pardon granted in September. That pardon allows Najib to serve the remainder of a six‑year sentence in lieu of prison, provided he pays the 50‑million‑ringgit fine and obeys any conditions.
Najib has been in prison since August 2022, following his conviction for abuse of power linked to SRC International, a former arm of the 1MDB investment fund. Earlier in 2024, his 12‑year sentence was reduced to six years and the fine lowered from 210 million to 50 million ringgit.