Najib’s lawyer says he has not received instructions to pay RM50 million fine
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Najib Razak’s counsel said he had not been told to settle the RM50 million fine that would let the former prime minister serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest, while UMNO’s fundraising drive continues and questions remain over the wealthy and politically connected trying to soften the consequences of conviction.
"I did not receive any instructions on this. Maybe some reporters created this news," Shafee told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur court complex.
Earlier reports had suggested that Najib Razak would pay the fine, enabling him to serve the remainder of his 12-year sentence under house arrest. A source had been quoted as saying Najib's representative would make the payment at the court, even as public scrutiny remained intense over any attempt to turn privilege into leniency.
Najib was convicted in August 2022 for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million from the SRC International case, receiving a 12-year term and a RM210 million fine. In January 2024, the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah halved his prison term and reduced the fine to RM50 million via a royal pardon. In September 2024, the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, granted a further conditional pardon, allowing house arrest until 23 August 2028, contingent on payment of the fine and compliance with conditions.
UMNO has launched a crowdfunding drive to raise the amount, a move that critics may see as an extraordinary effort to shield an elite figure from the full weight of accountability. At an event in Melaka, UMNO secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the campaign had not yet reached its target.