Putrajaya (TDI): Malaysia’s imprisoned ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak on Monday won an appeal to pursue his bid to serve his remaining corruption sentence under house arrest.
In an application in April 2024, Najib said he had clear information that then-King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah issued an addendum order allowing him to complete his sentence under house arrest.
Najib claimed the addendum was issued during a pardons board meeting on January 29 last year chaired by Sultan Abdullah that also cut his twelve-year jail sentence by half and sharply reduced a fine.
However, the High Court dismissed his appeal three months later.
The Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 ruling, ordered the High Court to hear the case merits.
The ruling followed Najib’s lawyer presenting a letter from a Pahang state palace official, confirming that then-Sultan Abdullah had issued the addendum order.
“We are pleased that ex-PM Najib has finally achieved a win,” said his lawyer Mohamad Shafee Abdullah.
“Najib is very happy and relieved that some element of injustice against him finally been acknowledged.”
The lawyer added that Najib gave a thumbs-up in court when the judgment was read.
He further said that it was “criminal” for the government to conceal the addendum order.
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He noted that a new High Court justice will now hear the case.
In his application, Najib accused the pardons board, attorney-general, home minister and four others of concealing the sultan’s order “in bad faith.”
Sultan Abdullah hails from Najib’s hometown in Pahang. He ended his 5-year reign on January 30 024 under Malaysia’s unique rotating monarchy system.
A new monarch took office a day later.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has stated he had no knowledge of such an order since he was not a member of the pardons board.
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The others named in Najib’s application have not made any comments.
Najib served less than two years of his sentence before it was commuted by the pardons board.
His sentence is now due to complete on August 23, 2028.
Charges Against Najib
The former PM was charged and found guilty in a corruption case linked to the multibillion-dollar looting of state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
The pardons board didn’t provide any reason for its decision and was not required to explain.
But the move has prompted a public outcry over the appearance that the ex-PM was being given special privileges compared to other prisoners.
