Malaysia confirms order that’s key to Najib’s house arrest

[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia’s Attorney General’s Chambers has confirmed for the first time the existence of a document that former premier Najib Razak says would allow him to serve the rest of his jail term for corruption under house arrest, local media reported.

Senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan confirmed the existence of an additional royal order issued by a former king, the Malay Mail reported on Wednesday (Jul 9), citing proceedings before a panel of Federal Court judges.  

It’s a major victory for Najib in his legal bid to compel the government to verify and carry out the royal order. He is serving time in prison for crimes related to a multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Najib, who was jailed in August 2022, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Attorney general Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar and Najib’s counsel, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, did not respond to a request for comment early Thursday.

Malaysia’s former king, Abdullah Ahmad Shah, halved Najib’s 12-year prison sentence and reduced his fines last year. Since then, Najib has been claiming that the royal issued a supplementary order.

The latest twist raises scrutiny on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his vow to combat corruption. Anwar has said that any final decision by the king must be made during the Pardons Board meeting.

SEE ALSO

Standard Chartered faces US$2.7 billion lawsuit over alleged role in 1MDB fraud; bank ‘emphatically rejects’ claims

Malaysia court discharges ex-PM Najib from one of his 1MDB cases

US judge sentences ex-Goldman Sachs banker to two years over 1MDB scandal

Malaysia court allows Attorney-General’s application to appeal in jailed ex-PM Najib’s legal case

More

Najib’s victory could have an impact on Malaysia’s political stability. He remains influential in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a party he once led and which Anwar needs support to stay in power. UMNO has championed for Najib’s release and eventual return to politics, but any reprieve given to him is likely to draw public backlash against Anwar and his government.

Najib in June was granted a discharge, a reprieve that does not amount to an acquittal, on three counts of money laundering breaches related to SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB. This follows a decision in March 2023 to free him from another 1MDB-linked charge. BLOOMBERG