Umno has paid the RM50 million fine imposed on its former president Najib Razak, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence for his graft conviction under house arrest.
In a statement, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party had collected enough funds through a donation drive launched in September, and thanked members and the public for their contributions.
Najib’s lawyer Farhan Shafee and special officer Lutfi Azhar were earlier seen at the High Court payment counter before going to the criminal registry office. Farhan later confirmed that the fine had been paid and said they were still sorting out the necessary documents, while Lutfi said they were waiting for the release order.
Najib was jailed in August 2022 after the Federal Court upheld his conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million in SRC International funds. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million.
In January 2024, the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, halved his prison sentence and reduced the fine to RM50 million as part of a royal pardon. In September this year, the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, granted him a further conditional pardon allowing him to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to paying the fine and complying with other conditions.
Police tightened security along the access road to Najib’s residence in Jalan Langgak Duta, Kuala Lumpur, from 10.30am on Friday amid speculation that he could return home in the afternoon. Sentul police chief Anuar Bakri Abdul Salam said more than 50 officers and personnel had been deployed as a precaution, although police had not received specific information about his release.
Update: Najib’s lawyer Farhan Shafee said the High Court had issued a house arrest order following payment of the fine, in line with the royal order. He said further processes still had to be completed and that he was heading to Kajang prison to deliver the order.
Update: On Friday evening, the Attorney-General’s Chambers said Najib’s house arrest should be temporarily deferred pending a legal review of his conditional pardon and the High Court order, and that he should remain at his existing place of detention in the meantime.