Malaysia’s United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) announced on Friday, November 6, that it had paid a fine of RM50 million, approximately US$12.3 million, on behalf of former prime minister Najib Razak. This could pave the way for him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest in accordance with the terms of a conditional pardon granted by Malaysia’s king.
The announcement came amid Malaysian media reports that Najib could leave prison on Friday, after police were seen strengthening security around his residence in Kuala Lumpur.
On September 18, Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar granted Najib a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence, until 2028, at home, subject to full payment of the RM50 million fine.
The 73-year-old former prime minister was originally sentenced in July 2020 to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million for criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power involving the transfer of RM42 million from SRC International into his personal bank accounts. After receiving a royal sentence reduction in January 2024, his prison term was halved and his fine was reduced to RM50 million. By Rithy.
