When Can Najib Begin House Arrest? Lawyer Shafee Abdullah Explains

KUALA LUMPUR: Eight days after the Federal Territories Pardons Board’s decision was announced on Sept 18, attention has now turned to when Datuk Seri Najib Razak can begin serving the remainder of his prison sentence in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case under house arrest.

Najib was granted a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to the payment of a RM50 million fine and other stipulated conditions.

The former Prime Minister’s appearance at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex today also drew attention amid developments surrounding the implementation of the house arrest.

Here are some of the key explanations given by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who represents Najib, during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex today:

1. Najib unable to pay RM50 million fine

Datuk Seri Najib Razak is currently unable to raise the RM50 million imposed as one of the conditions for him to serve the remainder of his sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest.

2. Bank accounts frozen

According to Shafee, his client’s financial situation does not allow him to raise the amount following the freezing of several of Najib’s bank accounts.

3. Never sought public donations

Najib has also never sought donations from the public to pay the RM50 million fine.

4. Langgak Duta residence designated for house arrest

Shafee confirmed that the house at No. 11, Jalan Langgak Duta, Kuala Lumpur, would be the location of Najib’s house arrest if the RM50 million fine is paid.

5. Could leave prison as early as next month

Najib could leave Kajang Prison as early as next month and serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

6. Depends on High Court decision

If a stay of the 15-year prison sentence in the 1MDB case is granted on Oct 14 and the RM50 million fine is paid, there is a strong possibility that Najib could be released on the same day to begin serving his sentence under house arrest.

7. Barbed-wire proposal does not make sense

Shafee described suggestions that Najib’s residence should be fitted with barbed wire, floodlights and armed guards as unreasonable and inconsistent with the concept of house arrest.

8. House arrest is not the same as being in prison

According to Shafee, house arrest allows a prisoner to live at home subject to certain conditions, rather than being guarded as though they were in prison.

9. Similar arrangements previously granted to other prisoners

Shafee said arrangements similar to house arrest had previously been granted to other prisoners through specific licences.

“This licence is house arrest, but the house arrest is implemented or managed through a licensing arrangement. I give you a licence to leave prison, and these are the conditions. If you breach the conditions, you go back to prison,” Shafee said.

10. Official pardon letter yet to be received

As of today, Najib has yet to receive the official letter concerning the conditional pardon decision allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

Astro Awani