KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur High Court has declined former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s appeal to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest. This ruling follows a tumultuous legal journey and confirms that Najib, now 72 years old, will continue to serve his time in Kajang Prison, where he has been since August 2022.
The court’s decision was delivered by Justice Alice Loke on 22 December 2024, marking a significant turn in Najib’s ongoing legal battles.
Background of the Case
Najib was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and fined RM210 million after being found guilty of multiple charges, including three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money laundering, and one count of abuse of power. These charges stemmed from a massive RM42 million transfer from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
- Najib was Prime Minister from 2009 to 2018.
- His prison sentence was reduced to six years by Malaysia’s then-king, Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, just before his departure from the throne on 30 January 2024.
- The reduction included an accompanying order for house arrest, which was central to Najib’s legal arguments.
Latest Developments
Supporters of Najib, including significant numbers from his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party, gathered outside the court, demonstrating ongoing support. Despite this, the court maintained that the alleged addendum order for house arrest was not valid, as it didn’t comply with Article 42 of Malaysia’s federal constitution.
The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) rebutted claims from Najib’s legal team that this ruling undermined the power of the king in pardons. They stressed the prerogative rests with the monarchy but must be exercised in conjunction with the Pardons Board, which did not discuss or agree on the house arrest during its meetings.
Political Reactions
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also echoed calls for respect towards the judiciary’s decision. He urged all parties to remain calm, particularly following a social media post by a lawmaker that appeared to celebrate the court’s ruling.
This case has stirred public discourse, as Najib maintains a polarising influence in Malaysian politics, often viewed as a symbol of political contention. His ongoing legal battles and potential for a comeback continue to command attention across the nation.