PREACHER Wan Ji Wan Hussin who was recently released after serving his sentence in Kajang prison addressed speculations regarding former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s presence in the same facility.
The former religious adviser to the Penang chief minister confirmed that Najib is indeed serving his sentence in Kajang prison, albeit under what he described as “very special treatment”.
“It would be incorrect to say that Najib is not in prison. He is indeed in Kajang prison. He’s there every day, except when he’s out for court proceedings,” Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.
Contrary to rumours suggesting otherwise, Wan Ji clarified that Najib spends his days in the prison, only being absent for court proceedings. However, he pointed out that Najib receives preferential treatment compared to ordinary prisoners.
According to Wan Ji, Najib does not wear the standard prisoner attire but instead dresses in regular clothing, resembling attire one would wear at home. Wan Ji also claimed that Najib is housed in a “special block” within the prison premises.
Moreover, Wan Ji, who himself served a nine-month jail term for sedition, remarked on the stark contrast between his experience and Najib’s.
“He (Najib) does not wear the prisoner garb. He wears ‘normal’ clothes like one would at home.
“It’s not that he’s clad in a suit (all the time). He just wears normal clothes, while I wore prisoner garb throughout. He is special. Not just special, but ‘very special’,” he quipped.
Wan Ji began serving his jail term on Sept 25 last year over a 2014 sedition case linked to the Selangor sultan.
The preacher was previously let out of prison on Jan 1 under the Licensed Release of Prisoners programme, which allows a prisoner to live outside the jail, albeit with limited mobility and the need to seek approval to conduct any activities.
During Wan Ji’s incarceration, he revealed that he never had the opportunity to interact with Najib directly. He mentioned that although he saw Najib from a distance, their paths never crossed for a conversation.
“I saw Najib from afar. My block is right at the back (of the prison complex), while his (Najib’s block) is near the field.
“So when my lawyer came to see me, I would walk past (Najib’s block) and see him. I never had the chance to talk to him.”
The former premier was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 mil following the Federal Court’s confirmation of his conviction in the SRC International case in August 2022. He is also facing trial for other charges related to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
Furthermore, the Pardons Board decided to reduce Najib’s jail sentence to six years and decrease the fine to RM50 mil, marking a significant reduction of 76%.
Najib’s official release date has been brought forward to August 2028. However, there is a possibility of his release in August 2026 on grounds of “good behavior” after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and the Prisons Department were contacted for comments on Najib’s treatment in prison, but have not responded yet. Najib’s lawyer has also been contacted for further clarification. – March 28, 2024
Main photo credit: Reuters
