Malaysia's former PM Najib to serve 1MDB sentence under house arrest after $12.3M payment
The United Malays National Organization settled a 50 million ringgit fine on Friday, fulfilling the final condition of a royal pardon granted in September.
By Mei Lin ·
Najib Razak, the former prime minister of Malaysia, will serve the remainder of his first graft sentence at home. His political party completed a 50 million ringgit payment to the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, clearing the final hurdle for his release from prison.
The fine amount equals approximately $12.3 million. This payment satisfied a specific condition attached to a royal pardon granted in September. The pardon allows Najib, 73, to serve the rest of his reduced six-year term under house arrest until August 23, 2028.
Najib has been incarcerated since August 2022, following a decision by Malaysia’s top court to uphold his conviction in the first trial linked to the 1MDB scandal. Asyraf Wajid Dusuki, the secretary-general of the United Malays National Organization, stated that the party collected sufficient funds through a donation drive to cover the cost. He confirmed the payment was made at the High Court earlier on Friday.
The house arrest arrangement applies only to the first sentence. It does not cover a separate 15-year prison term imposed in December 2025 for corruption and money laundering in a second major trial tied to the same scandal. Najib is currently appealing that second conviction and its associated 11.4 billion ringgit fine, which stands at roughly $2.8 billion.
Najib established the 1MDB state investment fund shortly after taking office in 2009. Investigators determined that at least $4.5 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered through bank accounts in the United States and other countries. The proceeds allegedly financed Hollywood films and luxury assets, including hotels, a yacht, art, and jewelry.
Police stationed guards at Najib’s home in Kuala Lumpur early Friday morning and blocked the road leading to his property. The timing of his physical transfer from prison to his residence was not immediately clear. The 15-year sentence from the second trial will take effect after his current term ends, provided his appeal fails.
Public anger over the 1MDB looting contributed to the historic election defeat of the ruling coalition in 2018. That coalition had governed Malaysia since independence from Britain in 1957. Najib retains influence within the United Malays National Organization, which now forms part of the government that assumed power in 2022.
