Najib Razak pardon & house arrest
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was imprisoned in 2022 over the SRC International case linked to 1MDB. In early 2024, the Pardons Board halved his 12-year sentence to six years and reduced his fine. Najib's lawyers subsequently sought to enforce an alleged 'house arrest addendum' issued by the former King to allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence at home, leading to a series of legal challenges.
Key facts
- Najib Razak was imprisoned in 2022 over the SRC International case linked to 1MDB.
- In early 2024, the Pardons Board halved Najib's 12-year sentence to six years and reduced his fine.
- Najib's lawyers sought to enforce an alleged 'house arrest addendum' issued by the former King to serve his sentence at home.
- Multiple courts in late 2025 rejected Najib's house arrest bid, citing lack of legal basis for such an order in Malaysia.
- The Attorney General's Chambers warned against falsely interpreting the house arrest rulings.
- The AGC denied claims that the house arrest ruling weakened the Rulers' pardon powers.
- Najib filed appeals against High Court dismissals of his house arrest bid in December 2025.
- Najib withdrew his house arrest appeal in April 2026, ending the legal effort to serve his sentence at home.
Analysis
The Pardons Board's decision in early 2024 to reduce Najib Razak's sentence from 12 to six years and lower his fine followed his 2022 conviction in the SRC International case, which was linked to the 1MDB scandal. Najib's legal team then pursued an appeal based on an alleged 'house arrest addendum' purportedly issued by the former King, which would have allowed him to serve his sentence under house arrest. Multiple court rulings throughout late 2025 rejected this bid, with judges determining that the addendum order could not be carried out due to a lack of legal basis in Malaysian law. The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) became involved, warning against misinterpretation of the rulings and denying claims that the decisions weakened the Rulers' pardon powers. Despite these setbacks, Najib continued to appeal, filing multiple appeals against High Court dismissals of his house arrest bid in December 2025. Ultimately, in April 2026, Najib withdrew his house arrest appeal, as reported by multiple local and international media outlets, marking the end of the legal effort to serve his sentence at home.
This explanation is generated from the cited news sources below. It states only what those sources support.
Timeline
Najib Razak imprisoned over SRC International case
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak was imprisoned following his conviction in the SRC International case, which was linked to the 1MDB scandal.
news.google.comPardons Board halves Najib's sentence
The Pardons Board in early 2024 halved Najib Razak's 12-year sentence to six years and reduced his fine related to the SRC International case.
news.google.comCourt rejects Najib's house arrest bid over alleged addendum
Relationship graph
People, organisations and items linked to this issue. Hover a node to focus its connections; names in blue link to a tracked politician profile.
- Attorney General's Chambers (AGC)organization
Warned against falsely interpreting Najib’s house arrest ruling and denied claims that the ruling weakened Rulers’ pardon powers
- High Courtorganization
Ruled that Najib’s house arrest order could not be carried out due to lack of legal basis in Malaysia
- Pardons Boardorganization
Halved Najib Razak's sentence from 12 to six years and reduced his fine in early 2024
- Former King (Yang di-Pertuan Agong)person
Allegedly issued the 'house arrest addendum' order that Najib's lawyers sought to enforce
- Najib Razakperson
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, imprisoned over SRC International case linked to 1MDB, sought house arrest via alleged addendum order
News collection(20)
All information on this page is drawn from the cited public news sources above.Back to all issues