Malaysia seeks to block ex-PM Najib’s bid for house arrest

4 days ago 28

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) is seeking to block jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s court bid to serve the remainder of his 1MDB-linked prison sentence at home.

The AGC filed a motion on Feb 4 seeking permission to appeal a court decision in January that allows Najib to pursue his petition for house arrest.

The AGC is looking to appeal the case at the Federal Court, it said in a statement on X on Jan 5.   

Najib is pushing for home detention after having his 12-year sentence halved in 2024 in a royal leniency – a move that drew criticism of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his vow to campaign against corruption.

Najib retains significant influence in Umno, a party he once helmed and which Datuk Seri Anwar counts on for support.

Mr Anwar said that the decision had nothing to do with him. 

The AGC said its decision to file the motion this week was based on several important premises, including conflicting interpretation of the law.

“The Attorney-General’s Chambers believes that this step is not just important to ensure justice in this case, but to also uphold the principle of the supremacy of the constitution and laws, as well as to clarify the interpretation of laws for the benefit of all quarters,” it said on Feb 5.

A Malaysian Court of Appeal in January ruled that Najib’s house arrest bid may be heard at the High Court, overturning an earlier decision that was rejected.

The appeal court’s decision wasn’t unanimous.

Najib and his legal team had claimed that the former king issued an additional order allowing for house arrest when the royal ruler halved his prison sentence.

They said Sultan Abdullah Ahmad of Pahang state gave the order in January 2024, just before ending his five-year reign under Malaysia’s rotational monarchy. BLOOMBERG

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Read Entire Article