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. Multiple courts rejected his bids, citing lack of legal basis for such an order in Malaysia, with the Attorney General's Chambers warning against misinterpretation of rulings.
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' from the former King to serve his sentence at home.
- Multiple courts, including the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Federal Court, rejected Najib's house arrest bids, citing no legal basis in Malaysian law.
- The Attorney General's Chambers warned against misinterpreting court rulings as supporting house arrest.
- The Malaysian Bar has filed multiple challenges to Najib's pardon and house arrest, seeking transparency on costs and terms.
- A Court of Appeal decision on the Malaysian Bar's appeal over Najib's sentence reduction is set for January 7, 2027.
- Despite legal challenges, Najib remains imprisoned, with no court recognizing a valid house arrest order.
Analysis
The Pardons Board's decision to halve Najib Razak's sentence and reduce his fine in early 2024 triggered a legal dispute over whether he could serve the remainder under house arrest. Najib's legal team claimed an alleged 'house arrest addendum' from the former King permitted this, but multiple courts, including the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Federal Court, rejected these claims, ruling there was no legal basis for such an order in Malaysian law. The Attorney General's Chambers warned against misinterpreting court rulings as endorsing house arrest. The Malaysian Bar has consistently challenged the pardon and house arrest arrangement, seeking transparency on costs and terms, and has filed multiple applications to void the pardon reduction. Key hearings and rulings are scheduled, with a Court of Appeal decision set for January 7, 2027, on the Bar's appeal. Despite Najib's requests, authorities have maintained he must serve his sentence in prison, and no credible evidence of a valid house arrest order has been produced in court.
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.comPardons Board reduces Najib's sentence and fine
The Pardons Board halved Najib's 12-year prison sentence to six years and reduced his fine in the SRC International case.
news.google.comPardons Board halves Najib's sentence and fine
In early 2024, the Pardons Board halved Najib's 12-year sentence to six years and reduced his fine.
news.google.comCourt rejects Najib's bid over alleged house arrest addendum
Bernama reported that the court rejected Najib's bid over the alleged house arrest addendum.
news.google.comCourt rejects Najib's house arrest bid over alleged addendum
The court rejected Najib Razak's bid to serve his sentence under house arrest based on an alleged addendum order, stating the order could not be carried out due to lack of legal basis in Malaysia.
news.google.comHigh Court rules house arrest order cannot be carried out
The High Court determined that Najib’s house arrest order could not be carried out since no laws exist in Malaysia to support such a measure.
news.google.comAGC denies claims house arrest ruling weakens Rulers' pardon powers
The Attorney General's Chambers denied claims that Najib’s house arrest ruling weakened the Rulers’ pardon powers, affirming the constitutional integrity of the pardon process.
news.google.comHigh Court rules Najib's house arrest order cannot be carried out
The High Court stated that Najib’s house arrest order cannot be implemented as no laws exist in Malaysia for such an arrangement.
news.google.comMalaysian Court rejects Najib’s house arrest bid
A Malaysian court rejected former PM Najib Razak’s house arrest bid, as reported by The Diplomat.
news.google.comNajib’s house arrest bid rejected by The Star
The Star reported that Najib’s house arrest bid was rejected.
news.google.comAGC warns against falsely interpreting Najib’s house arrest ruling
The Attorney General's Chambers warned against falsely interpreting Najib’s house arrest ruling.
news.google.comAGC denies claims Najib house arrest ruling weakens Rulers’ pardon powers
The Attorney General's Chambers denied claims that the Najib house arrest ruling weakens the Rulers’ pardon powers.
news.google.comAGC warns against falsely interpreting house arrest ruling
The Attorney General's Chambers issued a warning against falsely interpreting Najib’s house arrest ruling, clarifying the legal boundaries of the decision.
news.google.comNajib files appeal against High Court's dismissal of house arrest bid
Najib Razak filed an appeal against the High Court’s dismissal of his house arrest bid, continuing his legal effort to serve the remainder of his sentence at home.
news.google.comNajib files appeal over house arrest addendum
Najib Razak filed an appeal over the alleged house arrest addendum order, seeking to overturn the High Court’s rejection of his house arrest request.
news.google.comNajib files appeal over alleged house arrest addendum order
Najib filed an appeal over the alleged house arrest addendum order, as reported by BusinessToday Malaysia.
news.google.comConstitutional significance of Najib Razak 'Addendum Case' analyzed
The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) published a paper on the constitutional significance of the Najib Razak 'Addendum Case' on royal pardon.
news.google.comNajib withdraws appeal on house arrest, no reason given
Najib withdraws appeal on house arrest, no reason given, as reported by mediaselangor.com.
news.google.comNajib withdraws house arrest bid
Former PM Najib withdrew his house arrest bid, as reported by BusinessToday Malaysia.
news.google.comNajib ends house-arrest appeal over 1MDB-linked prison sentence
Malaysia’s Najib ends house-arrest appeal over 1MDB-linked prison sentence, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
news.google.comMalaysia’s jailed ex-PM Najib withdraws appeal on house arrest
Local media reported that Malaysia’s jailed ex-PM Najib withdrew his appeal on house arrest, as covered by The Straits Times.
news.google.comFormer PM Najib withdraws house arrest bid
Former PM Najib Withdraws House Arrest Bid, as reported by BusinessToday Malaysia.
news.google.comNajib withdraws house arrest appeal in SRC case
Najib withdraws house arrest appeal in SRC case, as reported by The Star.
news.google.comNajib withdraws appeal on house arrest, local media reports
Malaysia’s jailed ex-PM Najib withdraws appeal on house arrest, as reported by local media including The Straits Times.
news.google.comMalaysia’s Najib ends house-arrest appeal over 1MDB-linked prison sentence
Najib ended his house-arrest appeal over the 1MDB-linked prison sentence, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
news.google.comCourt allows Najib to attend Malaysian Bar’s appeal hearing on July 31
Court allows Najib to attend Malaysian Bar’s appeal hearing on July 31 - The Malaysian Reserve
news.google.comNajib to attend hearing on Bar’s challenge to pardons board’s decision
Najib to attend hearing on Bar’s challenge to pardons board’s decision - Free Malaysia Today
news.google.comCourt Of Appeal Reserves Decision On Malaysian Bar's Appeal Over Najib's Pardon
Court Of Appeal Reserves Decision On Malaysian Bar's Appeal Over Najib's Pardon - Bernama
news.google.comCourt of Appeal reserves decision on Malaysian Bar's Najib pardon appeal
Court of Appeal reserves decision on Malaysian Bar's Najib pardon appeal - NST Online
news.google.comPardons Board defers Najib's pardon application to future sitting
Pardons Board defers Najib's pardon application to future sitting - NST Online
news.google.comPardons Board defers Najib's pardon application
Pardons Board defers Najib's pardon application to future sitting.
news.google.comNo homecoming for Najib as house arrest request under review
No homecoming for Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib as request for house arrest remains under review.
news.google.comNo homecoming for Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib as request for house arrest remains under review
No homecoming for Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib as request for house arrest remains under review - The Straits Times
news.google.comPardons Board defers decision on Najib to future meeting
Pardons Board defers decision on Najib to future meeting - The Edge Malaysia
news.google.comNajib’s latest royal pardon application deferred by Pardons Board
Najib’s latest royal pardon application deferred by Pardons Board - The Sun Malaysia
news.google.comNajib granted house arrest for remainder of sentence, subject to RM50m fine
Najib granted house arrest for remainder of sentence, subject to RM50m fine [WATCH] - NST Online
news.google.comTimeline: Ex-PM Najib Razak’s quest for house arrest
Timeline: Ex-PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s quest for house arrest - MySinchew
news.google.comNajib Granted Conditional Pardon To Serve Remainder Of Sentence Under House Arrest
Najib Granted Conditional Pardon To Serve Remainder Of Sentence Under House Arrest - SAYS
news.google.comTimeline: Ex-PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s quest for house arrest
Timeline: Ex-PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s quest for house arrest - MySinchew
news.google.comG25 statement on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s conditional pardon
G25 statement on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s conditional pardon - The Edge Malaysia
news.google.comG25 statement on Najib's conditional pardon
G25 statement on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s conditional pardon - The Edge Malaysia
news.google.comG25 statement on Najib Razak’s conditional pardon
G25 issued a statement on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s conditional pardon, as reported by The Edge Malaysia.
news.google.comCourt of Appeal sets Jan 7 next year to deliver decision on Malaysian Bar’s Najib pardon appeal
Court of Appeal sets Jan 7 next year to deliver decision on Malaysian Bar’s Najib pardon appeal - The Malaysian Reserve
news.google.comCourt Of Appeal Reserves Decision On Malaysian Bar's Appeal Over Najib's Pardon
Court Of Appeal Reserves Decision On Malaysian Bar's Appeal Over Najib's Pardon - Bernama
news.google.comCourt allows Najib to attend Malaysian Bar’s appeal hearing on July 31
Court allows Najib to attend Malaysian Bar’s appeal hearing on July 31 - The Malaysian Reserve
news.google.comCourt of Appeal reserves decision on Malaysian Bar's Najib pardon appeal
Court of Appeal reserves decision on Malaysian Bar's Najib pardon appeal - NST Online
news.google.comJan 7 set for decision on Malaysian Bar's appeal over Najib's sentence reduction
Jan 7 set for decision on Malaysian Bar's appeal over Najib's sentence reduction - The Star
news.google.comMalaysian Bar’s bid to void Najib’s pardon reduction set for Jan 7 ruling
Malaysian Bar’s bid to void Najib’s pardon reduction set for Jan 7 ruling - Scoop.my
news.google.comNajib’s house arrest explained: 10 questions about pardons, prison powers and what happens next
Najib’s house arrest explained: 10 questions about pardons, prison powers and what happens next - Malay Mail
news.google.comMalaysian Bar to challenge Najib's second pardon, demands transparency on house arrest terms
The Malaysian Bar announced it would challenge Najib's second pardon and demanded transparency on house arrest terms, as reported by BusinessToday Malaysia.
news.google.comMalaysian Bar seeks to challenge Najib’s conditional pardon
Malaysian Bar seeks to challenge Najib’s conditional pardon - Free Malaysia Today
news.google.comOpinion: Malaysian Bar to challenge Najib's second pardon
Opinion: Malaysian Bar to challenge Najib's second pardon - The Edge Malaysia
news.google.comMalaysian Bar seeks taxpayer cost disclosure and plans fresh challenge to Najib house arrest
The Malaysian Bar sought taxpayer cost disclosure and planned a fresh challenge to Najib's house arrest, as reported by streamlinefeed.co.ke.
news.google.com
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.
- 1MDBcompany
State investment fund linked to the SRC International case and Najib Razak's criminal proceedings
- SRC Internationalcompany
Company linked to the 1MDB scandal for which Najib Razak was convicted and imprisoned
- Attorney General's Chambersorganization
Warned against misinterpretation of court rulings regarding house arrest
- 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
- G25organization
Issued a statement on Najib Razak’s conditional pardon in September 2026
- High Courtorganization
Ruled that Najib’s house arrest order could not be carried out due to lack of legal basis in Malaysia
- High Court of Malaysiaorganization
Ruled that Najib’s house arrest order cannot be carried out due to lack of legal basis
- Malaysian Barorganization
Sought taxpayer cost disclosure and planned a fresh legal challenge to Najib's house arrest in September 2026
- 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
- King of Malaysiaperson
Allegedly issued the 'house arrest addendum' 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(80)
Malaysian Bar Seeks Taxpayer Cost Disclosure and Plans Fresh Challenge to Najib House Arrest - streamlinefeed.co.ke
Malaysian Bar To Challenge Najib's Second Pardon, Demands Transparency On House Arrest Terms - BusinessToday Malaysia
Opinion: Malaysian Bar to challenge Najib's second pardon - The Edge Malaysia
Malaysian Bar seeks to challenge Najib’s conditional pardon - Free Malaysia Today
Najib’s house arrest explained: 10 questions about pardons, prison powers and what happens next - Malay Mail
Malaysian Bar’s bid to void Najib’s pardon reduction set for Jan 7 ruling - Scoop.my
Jan 7 set for decision on Malaysian Bar's appeal over Najib's sentence reduction - The Star
Court of Appeal sets Jan 7 next year to deliver decision on Malaysian Bar’s Najib pardon appeal - The Malaysian Reserve
G25 statement on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s conditional pardon - The Edge Malaysia
Timeline: Ex-PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s quest for house arrest - MySinchew
Najib Granted Conditional Pardon To Serve Remainder Of Sentence Under House Arrest - SAYS
Najib granted house arrest for remainder of sentence, subject to RM50m fine [WATCH] - NST Online
Pardons Board defers decision on Najib to future meeting - The Edge Malaysia
No homecoming for Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib as request for house arrest remains under review - The Straits Times
Najib’s latest royal pardon application deferred by Pardons Board - The Sun Malaysia
Pardons Board defers Najib's pardon application to future sitting - NST Online
Court Of Appeal Reserves Decision On Malaysian Bar's Appeal Over Najib's Pardon - Bernama
Court of Appeal reserves decision on Malaysian Bar's Najib pardon appeal - NST Online
Najib to attend hearing on Bar’s challenge to pardons board’s decision - Free Malaysia Today
Court allows Najib to attend Malaysian Bar’s appeal hearing on July 31 - The Malaysian Reserve
Malaysia’s Najib ends house-arrest appeal over 1MDB-linked prison sentence - South China Morning Post
Malaysia’s jailed ex-PM Najib withdraws appeal on house arrest, local media reports - The Straits Times
Former PM Najib Withdraws House Arrest Bid - BusinessToday Malaysia
Najib withdraws house arrest appeal in SRC case - The Star
Najib withdraws appeal on house arrest, no reason given - mediaselangor.com
CO26034 | Constitutional Significance of the Najib Razak “Addendum Case” on Royal Pardon - S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)
IN THE COURTS 2025: Najib’s house arrest bid fails as court finds order invalid - The Edge Malaysia
Najib Files Appeal Over Alleged House Arrest Addendum Order - BusinessToday Malaysia
Najib files appeal over house arrest addendum - Malaysiakini
Malaysia’s former PM Najib files appeal against High Court’s dismissal of house arrest bid - The Straits Times
Malaysia’s AGC rebuts claims by Najib’s lawyer that High Court ruling on house arrest dilutes royal power - CNA
Grounds of judgement for Najib's house arrest bid - The Edge Malaysia
AGC denies claims Najib house arrest ruling weakens Rulers’ pardon powers - The Edge Malaysia
Najib’s house arrest bid rejected - The Star
High Court: Najib’s house arrest order can’t be carried out, since no laws for this in Malaysia - Malay Mail
Malaysian Court Rejects Former PM Najib’s House Arrest Bid - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific
AGC warns against falsely interpreting Najib’s house arrest ruling - Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia’s PM Anwar calls for respect, patience after Najib’s house arrest bid denied - The Straits Times
High Court grounds of judgment in Najib's rejected house arrest bid - Malaysiakini
Najib loses bid to serve rest of jail term under house arrest - The Edge Malaysia
Najib loses bid to serve rest of jail term under house arrest - The Edge Malaysia
Malaysian court rejects Najib’s bid to serve sentence under house arrest - Al Jazeera
Najib’s house arrest bid: Court decision hinges on validity of addendum order - The Star
Expert Affirms Najib House Arrest Ruling Is Constitutional - Bernama
Court Rejects Najib's Bid Over Alleged House Arrest Addendum - Bernama
No house arrest for Najib - Malaysiakini
Former Malaysia PM Najib Razak loses house arrest bid in High Court - CNA
Expert says Najib house arrest ruling is constitutional - The Star
Decision against Najib’s house arrest bid may remove Rulers' wide latitude over pardon, clemency, claims Shafee - The Edge Malaysia
Malaysia denies ex-PM Najib's house arrest bid ahead of key 1MDB verdict - Reuters
No house arrest for Najib, High Court decides - Malay Mail
Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib to appeal decision denying house arrest plea, claims royal power diluted - The Straits Times
High Court rejects house arrest bid, Najib to remain in Kajang Prison [WATCH] - NST Online
[UPDATED] Najib to appeal court's dismissal of house arrest bid - NST Online
Verdict on Najib’s house arrest bid brought forward to Dec 22 - Free Malaysia Today
Royal addendum on Najib's house arrest never decided at Pardons Board meeting, not 'legally enforceable', High Court hears - The Star
Najib's house arrest addendum: It's not a pardon but mere 'relief', does not need Pardons Board's deliberation, court hears - The Edge Malaysia
House arrest or stay in Kajang? Najib’s big bid lands in the High Court today - Malay Mail
Najib’s legal bid over 'house-arrest' addendum stays alive as apex court rules matter must be heard in full at High Court - The Edge Malaysia
Malaysia's top court allows jailed ex-PM Najib to pursue legal bid for house arrest - Reuters
Najib's house arrest bid: An explainer on the eve of the apex court's decision - The Edge Malaysia
Federal Court allows Najib to attend April 28 ruling on AGC's appeal over house arrest addendum challenge - The Edge Malaysia
Malaysian Bar says High Court erred in dismissing its bid to challenge Najib's pardon - The Edge Malaysia
Najib to cite Federal Court judge and former AG Terrirudin for contempt on house arrest addendum issue, says lawyer - The Edge Malaysia
Malaysia government challenges Court of Appeal’s decision on Najib’s ‘house arrest’ addendum - CNA
Najib Razak’s ‘House Arrest’: Royal Addendum Raises Riveting Questions for Malaysia - fulcrum.sg
From behind bars, former PM Najib continues to rattle Malaysian politics with house arrest bid - CNA
Malaysia seeks gag order on Najib’s house arrest bid - South China Morning Post
Malaysia government to seek gag order on ex-PM Najib house arrest bid - The Straits Times
Malaysia no record of documents granting ex-PM Najib house arrest, says govt - South China Morning Post
No royal addendum for Najib's house arrest in Pardons Board's records, says secretariat - The Edge Malaysia
High Court to decide legality of Najib's royal addendum, house arrest - Law experts - Sinar Daily
Your guide to understanding Najib's house arrest bid - The Edge Malaysia
Najib's addendum appeal allowed via majority decision, case reverted to High Court - The Edge Malaysia
Najib gets nod for house arrest bid after lawyers produce purported letter from Pahang palace - The Straits Times
Malaysia court grants jailed ex-PM Najib access to house arrest decree - Al Jazeera
FT minister denies issuing statement on Najib’s house arrest - Free Malaysia Today
Najib turns to Court of Appeal to challenge existence of addendum on house arrest - Sinar Daily
Najib’s purported house arrest order: High court rejects Malaysian minister’s bid to ‘correct certain errors’ - CNA
Court bars media from covering Najib's house arrest challenge at Shafee's request - The Edge Malaysia
Najib wants govt to produce ‘supplementary decree’ allowing house arrest - Free Malaysia Today
All information on this page is drawn from the cited public news sources above.Back to all issues