Najib Razak Seeks Stay of 15-Year Sentence; Court Ruling Set for October 14

Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak, 73, has asked the Kuala Lumpur High Court to suspend a 15-year prison sentence imposed in December 2025 for corruption linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The court will rule on October 14. This follows a conditional royal pardon granted September 18 that allows him to serve his original sentence under house arrest, provided he pays RM50 million (US$12.27 million). His lawyer says Najib has no funds to pay the fine because government authorities froze all his bank accounts.

The partial pardon and house arrest conditions

King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar granted Najib a conditional pardon on September 18, allowing him to serve the remainder of his original sentence at home instead of in prison. The pardon requires him to pay RM50 million and serve house arrest until his expected release in August 2028. However, Najib’s legal team has not yet received official documents confirming the pardon terms, creating uncertainty about when house arrest can begin.

The second conviction and new 15-year sentence

In December 2025, Najib was found guilty in a separate case tied to 1MDB corruption and sentenced to an additional 15 years in jail. This sentence would begin after his house arrest ends. His lawyer asked the court to stay that sentence pending an appeal. If the court grants the stay and Najib pays the fine, his lawyer said there is a good chance he could be released on the same day.

Najib cannot pay the fine without asset access

Najib’s lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told reporters that the former PM has no means to raise the RM50 million fine on his own. Government authorities froze all of his bank accounts, making it impossible for him to pay without external help. His former ruling party, Umno, has launched a fundraiser to settle the fine, triggering widespread outrage among Malaysians over preferential treatment.

Timeline and next steps

The Kuala Lumpur High Court will decide on October 14 whether to grant Najib’s request to stay the 15-year sentence. Najib has been imprisoned since August 2022 after conviction in the original 1MDB case involving billions of dollars stolen from the state fund he co-founded while in office. He has consistently denied all wrongdoing.

Final Thoughts

Najib’s partial pardon and house arrest hinge on paying RM50 million he cannot afford. The October 14 court hearing will determine whether his second 15-year sentence is suspended, potentially allowing his release by August 2028 if the fine is paid.

FAQs

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.