The former prime minister arrived at his residence late Tuesday night under armed police escort after serving four years in prison for his 2020 conviction. His political party paid a $12 million fine to accompany the royal pardon that permitted the transfer. While his defense claimed he was misled by fugitive financier Jho Low, critics argue the house arrest arrangement lacks a clear legal foundation in Malaysia. Looking ahead, Najib is appealing a separate 15-year prison sentence issued in December 2025 for misappropriating billions more.
Key points
Najib Razak will serve the remainder of his halved corruption sentence under house arrest…: Najib Razak will serve the remainder of his halved corruption sentence under house arrest until August 2028.
The former leader faces an additional fifteen-year prison term handed down in December 20…: The former leader faces an additional fifteen-year prison term handed down in December 2025 for misappropriating 2.3 billion ringgit.
Anti-corruption critics argue that allowing the former prime minister to serve his senten…: Anti-corruption critics argue that allowing the former prime minister to serve his sentence at home lacks a clear legal basis.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
Malaysia's disgraced former Prime Minister Najib Razak has arrived home to begin serving the rest of a jail sentence for corruption under house arrest.
There was a big media presence at his Kuala Lumpur residence to see the 73-year-old return from prison in an SUV late on Tuesday night, escorted by a heavily armed police convoy.
Najib's return ended a four-year prison stint after he was found guilty over the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the country's sovereign wealth fund.
The 1MDB scandal brought down his government and made headlines around the world when it came to light a decade ago, embroiling prominent figures from Malaysia to Goldman Sachs and Hollywood.
Investigators estimated that $4.5bn (£3.3bn) was siphoned from the state-owned wealth fund, which Najib co-founded, into private pockets, including his own. More than $1bn allegedly ended up in accounts linked to Najib, according to prosecutors.
Najib's lawyers claim he had been misled by his advisers - in particular the financier Jho Low, who has maintained his innocence and remains at large.
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