Najib solidarity fund raises RM634,562 in first three hours

KUALA LUMPUR: The Najib Razak Solidarity Fund raised RM634,562.02 within its first three hours after being launched by Umno to help former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak settle his RM50 million fine.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said many Malaysians contributed amounts as low as RM10 and RM50 towards the fund.

"Three hours after the Tabung Solidariti Najib Razak was launched, it had reached RM634,562.02. Many contributed as little as RM10 and RM50," he said in his Facebook post.

He urged Malaysians who wished to contribute to use the official account opened by Umno.

The fundraising drive was launched after the Federal Territories Pardons Board announced that Najib had been granted a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house detention until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of the RM50 million fine.

Asyraf said the initiative, which was initiated by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, reflected the concern and solidarity of party members and Malaysians who wanted to support Najib.

"Umno leaders, members and the public are invited to contribute voluntarily according to their means through the official channel," he said in a statement.

He also thanked Malaysians for their concern, support and sincerity in participating in the initiative.

Earlier, Zahid said Umno was launching the fundraising effort to help Najib pay the fine and ease the financial burden on him.

The conditional pardon was granted at the 64th meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya at Istana Negara today.

The order requires Najib to comply with all conditions imposed, failing which the pardon may be revoked and he would be required to serve the remainder of his sentence in prison.

Najib, 73, has been serving his sentence at Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022, after the Federal Court upheld his conviction in the SRC International case.

The Pardons Board had previously reduced his original 12-year prison sentence to six years and his RM210 million fine to RM50 million in February 2024.