Malaysian King Approves House Arrest for Najib Razak

Malaysia's king has granted a conditional pardon to former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is in prison on corruption charges, paving the way for him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest provided he meets certain conditions and pays his fine.

House Arrest Resulting from Royal Decree

Following a meeting of the Pardons Board in Malaysia, King Sultan Ibrahim Iskender approved the conditional pardon for former Prime Minister Najib Razak.

In accordance with this decision, Najib Razak was permitted to serve the remainder of his sentence at home, provided that he pays the fine ordered by the court and complies with the specified rules.

1MDB Corruption and Court Process

Seventy-three-year-old Najib Razak had been in prison since August 2022 after the high court upheld his conviction in the corruption case linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad state investment fund.

The former leader had previously been sentenced to long-term imprisonment and hefty fines on charges of abuse of power and money laundering.

Changes Made to Sentences

The Pardons Board, which convened in January 2024, had halved Najib's prison sentence and also reduced his fine.

The subsequent discussions on house arrest and legal processes had resonated widely around justice reforms and royal powers in the country.

Other Trials and Political Influence

While Najib Razak's legal battle continues, a separate trial related to the fund that concluded in December 2025 resulted in new prison sentences and record fines for him.

Despite all these convictions, Najib continues to maintain his presence and influence in Malaysian politics and within his party.