Malaysia’s Ex-PM Najib Leaves Prison for House Arrest After $12.3m Fine Is Paid

Malaysia’s former Prime Minister, Najib Razak, has left prison to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest after his political party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), paid a 50 million ringgit ($12.3 million) fine required under the terms of his conditional royal pardon.

Najib, 73, left the Kajang Prison Complex on Friday, November 6, in a silver sports utility vehicle accompanied by a convoy, following the issuance of a High Court order authorising his transfer to home detention.

The payment was confirmed by UMNO Secretary-General Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who said the party had completed all payment procedures at the Kuala Lumpur High Court after raising the required amount through the Najib Razak Solidarity Fund.

The fundraising initiative was launched on September 18 to help settle the fine, with contributions coming from party members and members of the public.

The payment fulfilled a key condition attached to the pardon granted by Malaysia’s King, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, in September, allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his reduced prison sentence at home until August 23, 2028.

Najib’s lawyer, Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee, confirmed that the High Court had issued the house arrest order after the fine was settled.

Najib had been serving his sentence at Kajang Prison since August 2022, following his conviction over the misappropriation of 42 million ringgit belonging to SRC International, a former subsidiary of the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

He was initially sentenced in July 2020 to 12 years in prison and fined 210 million ringgit after being found guilty of seven charges, including criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power.

In January 2024, Malaysia’s Pardons Board reduced his prison term to six years and lowered the fine to 50 million ringgit.

The latest arrangement has attracted public attention and criticism, particularly over the decision to allow a former head of government convicted in a major corruption case to serve the remainder of his sentence outside prison.

Najib’s release from Kajang Prison does not, however, mean he is completely free from imprisonment.

He was sentenced to an additional 15 years in prison in December 2025 after being convicted in a separate 1MDB-related corruption and money-laundering case involving billions of ringgit. He was also fined 11.38 billion ringgit and has appealed the conviction.

The house arrest arrangement applies only to his sentence in the SRC International case and does not automatically cancel or cover the separate 15-year sentence.

Najib served as Malaysia’s prime minister from 2009 to 2018. His administration was severely damaged by the 1MDB scandal, which involved the alleged diversion of billions of dollars from the state investment fund.

The scandal contributed to the historic defeat of his Barisan Nasional coalition in the 2018 general election, ending its decades-long hold on power.

His transfer to house arrest is expected to reignite debate over corruption, royal pardons, political influence and accountability in Malaysia.