FORMER prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak could leave Kajang Prison as early as next month to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest if the High Court grants a stay of his 15-year 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) sentence, his lead defence counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah says.
Speaking to reporters following court proceedings, Shafee stated that the transition could occur on Oct 14, provided the court approves the stay application and the RM50mil fine required under Najib’s conditional pardon is paid.
“If we are ready, say on Oct 14 we obtain the stay of sentence, and then, God willing, the RM50mil is paid, there is a strong possibility that he could be released on the same day,” he told reporters after court proceedings involving Najib.
“Or there may be arguments in court as to whether his release takes effect on the same day.”
The High Court is scheduled to hear the stay application on Oct 14 pending Najib’s appeal against his conviction on four charges of abuse of power and 21 money laundering charges involving RM2.27bil in 1MDB funds.
The 1MDB sentence was set to run consecutively after the completion of his SRC term.
Meanwhile, following the announcement, Najib’s legal representation stated that he is unable to pay the RM50mil fine immediately, noting that his assets are frozen and not within his sole control.
His lawyer indicated that while they have queried the Pardons Board’s secretariat, they plan to submit a future request for a full or “free pardon” (which would clear his guilt entirely), arguing that the board did not operate exactly as the constitution intended.
For now, until the fine is paid or modified, Najib remains held at Kajang Prison.
Meanwhile, on Sept 25, the Malaysian Bar announced plans to initiate fresh legal action to challenge the legality of the second conditional pardon (the house arrest arrangement). They are demanding full transparency regarding its conditions and taxpayer costs.
The Bar is also continuing its appeal against a previous High Court dismissal to quash the 2024 decision that initially halved Najib’s 12-year sentence and reduced his fine from RM210mil to RM50mil.
The Court of Appeal has set Jan 7, 2027, to deliver its decision on whether the Bar can proceed with that judicial review. — Sept 26. 2026
