Najib's RM50 Million Fine Paid as High Court Issues House Arrest Order, Transfer Date Still Unclear
Najib's RM50 Million Fine Paid as High Court Issues House Arrest Order, Transfer Date Still Unclear
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — Malaysia's High Court has issued a house arrest order for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak following the payment of a RM50 million fine connected to his SRC International conviction.
The development was confirmed on Friday afternoon by Najib's lawyer, Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee, after the payment was completed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
The legal team said it had obtained the relevant order and would deliver the document to Kajang Prison for the next stage of implementation.
However, the announcement does not establish that Najib has already been transferred to his residence.
UMNO confirms payment
UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced earlier on Friday that the party had completed the required payment procedures.
He said the Najib Razak Solidarity Fund, established on September 18, had reached its fundraising target.
The initiative collected public contributions to help meet the financial condition attached to Najib's conditional royal pardon.
With the payment completed, UMNO announced that the special fundraising account would be closed.
The party did not provide a detailed breakdown of individual donors or their respective contributions.
Payment arrangements handled at court
Najib's special officer, Ahmad Lutfi Azhar, arrived at the High Court's criminal registry at approximately 11.30am to facilitate payment and complete the necessary administration.
Later, Najib's legal team confirmed that the fine had been settled.
Muhammad Farhan subsequently told reporters that the High Court had issued the house arrest order in accordance with the conditional pardon.
The lawyers intend to submit the order to the prison authorities, although additional procedures are still required before the transfer can take place.
Background to the SRC International sentence
Najib was convicted on seven charges connected with RM42 million belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.
In July 2020, the High Court sentenced him to 12 years in prison and imposed a RM210 million fine.
The conviction and sentence were upheld on appeal, and Najib began serving his prison term in August 2022.
In January 2024, the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced the imprisonment period to six years and lowered the fine to RM50 million.
A subsequent conditional pardon granted by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim on September 18, 2026, provided for Najib to serve the remainder of the relevant sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to stipulated conditions.
The RM50 million payment was one of the key requirements.
House arrest order does not mean immediate release
The issuance of a court order represents another administrative and legal step towards implementing the conditional pardon.
Nevertheless, Najib's lawyer said the authorities must complete further procedures before he can leave prison.
As of the reports available on the afternoon of November 6, there has been no official confirmation of a completed transfer or a definite departure time.
It is also important to distinguish the SRC International sentence from Najib's other legal proceedings, which follow separate processes.
What happens next?
The immediate focus is now on delivery and implementation of the court order by the prison authorities and any other relevant agencies.
Further announcements are expected to clarify the practical arrangements and timing of the transfer.
For now, the confirmed developments are the settlement of the RM50 million fine and the issuance of the house arrest order.
Whether and when Najib physically leaves Kajang Prison remains subject to further official confirmation.
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