Najib Allowed Home Detention After Paying Fine
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Malaysia has approved former prime minister Najib Razak to complete the remainder of his prison term under home detention, but only after he pays a RM50 million fine. The decision was made after the Pardons Board met at the National Palace on September 18, and the Prime Minister's Department's Legal Affairs Division said King Sultan Ibrahim had consented to a conditional pardon. Najib, 73, is serving time over the SRC International case linked to the 1MDB scandal, after receiving a 12-year sentence that was later reduced to six years. Even if he moves to home detention, he could be sent back to prison immediately if he breaches the conditions, and a separate 1MDB appeal could still affect his future custody status
Key Points
- Malaysia's Pardons Board met at the National Palace on September 18 to consider Najib's clemency application and approved a conditional arrangement
- The Legal Affairs Division said King Sultan Ibrahim allowed Najib to finish his remaining sentence at home after paying RM50 million
- Najib was convicted over misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary, and was jailed for 12 years
- Reports said his sentence was cut to six years in 2024, while the fine was reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million
- If Najib loses his appeal in a separate 1MDB and money-laundering case, he may have to return to prison after August 23, 2028
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case remains a closely watched benchmark for how Southeast Asian governments handle corruption cases involving former top leaders and royal clemency. It also shows that even after sentence reductions, unresolved appeals and financial penalties can still determine whether a convicted politician remains in custody.