Malaysia postpones Najib Razak's transfer to house arrest pending legal review
The attorney-general’s office has delayed the move of former prime minister Najib Razak to house arrest while it examines the royal pardon and related court order.
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has temporarily suspended the planned transfer of jailed former prime minister Naj9 Razak to house arrest, the attorney-general’s office said on Nov 6, citing the need to review a royal pardon and a court order authorising the move.
Najib, who led the country from 2009 to 2018, was convicted of corruption linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad fund. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
In September, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar granted a second royal pardon that would allow Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
UMNO, Najib’s party, announced on Nov 6 that it had paid a RM50 million (S$15.8 million) fine required to satisfy the pardon’s conditions on his behalf.
A court subsequently issued an order permitting the transfer, which Najib’s lawyer said was scheduled for Nov 6.
The attorney-general’s chambers said questions remain over the legal interpretation of the pardon and the court order.
"In this regard, the implementation of house arrest... should be temporarily suspended until further investigation and clarification... are completed," the statement read.