Malaysian Court Denies Najib Razak’s Request for House Arrest

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, age 72, has been unsuccessful in his effort to finish his prison term under house arrest, as the Kuala Lumpur High Court has rejected his request for judicial review.

Currently, Najib is serving a six-year prison sentence due to his involvement in the multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal, which has spurred investigations across multiple nations.

Judge Rules Against House Arrest

Najib's defense argued that a purported “royal addendum,” allegedly issued by Malaysia's former monarch, permitted him to complete his sentence at home.

However, High Court Judge Alice Loke Yee Ching dismissed this assertion, emphasizing that the claimed royal document does not constitute a legitimate legal order. “There is no legal provision for house arrest in Malaysia,” Judge Loke stated, noting that the court could not grant such relief.

Thus, the request for judicial review was dismissed.

Najib’s Reaction

Appearing in a grey suit and white shirt, Najib showed visible disappointment when the verdict was announced.

His attorney, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, informed the press that Najib intends to appeal this ruling, and described him as “very disappointed” by the decision.

Context: SRC International Sentencing

Najib originally received a 12-year prison sentence in July 2020 for the misappropriation of 42 million ringgit from SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary.

This sentence was later commuted to six years by Malaysia’s pardons board.

Upcoming Verdict on Major Charges

Najib faces an impending and more serious legal hurdle. A verdict is anticipated soon in a separate trial related to 1MDB, which is viewed as the most significant case against him.

He has been charged with:

• Four counts of abuse of power involving 2.28 billion ringgit

• 21 counts of money laundering

Each charge of abuse of power carries potential penalties of 20 years of imprisonment along with hefty fines.

Claims from Prosecution and Defense

Prosecutors assert that Najib misused his positions as prime minister, finance minister, and head of 1MDB’s advisory board to siphon large amounts into his private accounts.

The prosecution's case is bolstered by extensive bank records, official documents, and testimonies from over 50 witnesses.

In contrast, Najib's defense team has pointed fingers at fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, who is believed to have orchestrated the scheme.

Low remains elusive and is accused of using stolen funds for luxurious properties, a private jet, a yacht, and high-value artworks, including masterpieces by Monet and Van Gogh.

Political Ramifications and Public Response

The 1MDB scandal significantly contributed to Najib's electoral defeat in the 2018 general elections, marking the end of UMNO's long-standing dominance.

While Najib has expressed remorse over the scandal during his leadership, he continues to maintain his innocence regarding any unauthorized transfers.

Should he face conviction in the forthcoming case, Najib risks a significant extension of his prison term, further diminishing his political leverage and damaging UMNO’s reputation.

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