House Arrest: Najib Faces Strict Conditions, Will Be Returned to Prison if Violated – Saifuddin Nasution

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is subject to various strict conditions and restrictions while serving the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, including being prohibited from leaving the gazetted premises or participating in any political activities or media coverage.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the restrictions comprise four conditions attached to the Conditional Pardon Order issued by the Pardons Board, chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on September 18, as well as additional control measures imposed by the Malaysian Prisons Department.

He said the four main conditions stipulated by the Pardons Board involve restrictions on residence and association, controls on movement and visits, restrictions on the use of telephones and telecommunications devices, and mandatory participation in rehabilitation and intervention programmes.

“The Pardons Board’s decision clearly specifies the place of residence. The address is No. 11, Jalan Langgak Duta. It is explicitly stated. The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), exercising the Home Minister’s powers under Section 3 of the Prisons Act, merely gazetted the premises.

“It is also clearly stated that he is not permitted to move to another house, building or premises. He is not allowed to leave the specified address without written permission,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai), who sought clarification on the specific conditions imposed on Najib while serving the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, as well as the agencies responsible for monitoring compliance.

Saifuddin Nasution said Najib is only permitted to live with immediate family members, namely his wife, children, children-in-law and grandchildren, while receiving any outside visitors requires prior written approval.

In addition, the former Pekan Member of Parliament is only allowed to use telecommunications devices registered with the Prisons Department for the purpose of verifying his whereabouts.

He is also prohibited from making statements or comments to the media, appearing on any social media platform or attending public gatherings.

Saifuddin Nasution also disclosed that the Home Ministry was unable to accommodate Najib’s written request to include another residence as an additional condition, as it was strictly bound by the Pardons Board’s decision specifying only one premises.

Responding to Suhaizan’s supplementary question regarding perceptions of a “two-tier justice system”, Saifuddin Nasution stressed that the right to seek a pardon under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution is available to all citizens regardless of status, while the Home Ministry and Prisons Department merely act as implementing agencies in accordance with established legal procedures.

Responding to a supplementary question from Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) on the implications of violating the conditions, he said the house arrest arrangement would be revoked immediately.

Meanwhile, in response to a supplementary question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (MUDA-Muar), Saifuddin Nasution said he was prepared to bring a recommendation to tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting to consider declassifying the minutes of the Pardons Board meeting relating to the case, to provide the public with a clearer and more accurate perspective.

BERNAMA