Malaysian court clears former PM Najib Razak for house arrest transfer | News
Court Approves House Arrest for Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak
Published on November 10, 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A Malaysian court has approved the transfer of former Prime Minister Najib Razak to house arrest, following a conditional pardon granted in September. The decision resolves a dispute regarding an earlier directive related to his imprisonment.
Judge Aslam Zainuddin of the Kuala Lumpur High Court announced on Tuesday that Najib, 73, will serve the remainder of his reduced six-year sentence under house arrest, as mandated by the terms of the royal pardon.
Najib was incarcerated for his involvement in one of the largest thefts of public funds in history, orchestrated through the now-defunct 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). His political party recently paid a $12 million fine, a requirement of the pardon that was expected to facilitate his release, but the attorney general intervened at the last minute, citing concerns over the legal interpretation of both the royal pardon and the court’s order.
The Malaysian monarch, King Sultan Ibrahim, emphasized that any challenge to his order granting Najib’s release could be seen as an act of defiance against the royal decree. The king’s role, while largely ceremonial, includes the authority to grant pardons under the country’s Constitution.
This development has sparked significant political and constitutional debate in Malaysia. Al Jazeera reporter Rob McBride described the situation as one creating “all manner of controversy,” highlighting the tension between the monarchy, the judiciary, and the government.
The court’s decision applies only to Najib’s first conviction. He is also facing a potential additional 15 years in prison following a separate conviction related to the 1MDB case, with that sentence set to commence after his house arrest concludes.
Najib’s legal team has appealed the additional conviction, seeking to suspend the prison term and related fines, citing concerns over his health and financial ability to pay.
