Najib's family yet to receive house arrest SOP

KUALA LUMPUR: Najib Razak's family has yet to receive any information, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), from authorities on his proposed house arrest.

Najib's fourth child, Nooryana Najwa, said the family and lawyers had also yet to receive any information from the Prisons Department, including details on modifications to the house to facilitate the house arrest.

"Other than that, we have yet to receive any SOPs from the Prisons Department. Simply put, we have not received any official information. Our lawyers have also not received any official information. So, we are still waiting for information from the Prisons Department.

"We really do not know. As family members, we have yet to receive any news or information from prison officers," she told Utusan Malaysia when met.

Previously, media reports said Najib was expected to serve the remainder of his prison sentence at his residence in Langgak Duta here, alone and under the supervision of the Prisons Department, with family visits also restricted.

Lawyer Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican said the location was chosen because no family members lived there, allowing the property to be used as a prison facility, subject to criteria set by the Prisons Department director-general.

Meanwhile, Nooryana said the Langgak Duta residence had been vacant since her father was imprisoned on Aug 23, 2022.

"Mum (Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor) lives with me. So, the house has been vacant since (Najib) was imprisoned," she said.

Najib is currently serving his sentence at Kajang Prison after a conditional pardon granted by Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on Sept 18 enabled him to serve the remainder of his sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to the payment of a RM50 million fine.

However, on the eighth day today, there was still no new development from Kajang Prison.

On the solidarity fund launched by Umno, Nooryana said she had been informed that total contributions had reached more than RM2 million.

"I understand that Umno members are not concentrated in urban areas, so it is rather difficult for us to reach the fundraising target within a short period.

"So, what Umno is doing now is bringing the fund to every programme held in rural areas to raise sufficient contributions," she said.

Nooryana said the family welcomed the decision on conditional house arrest after waiting for a long time for an update on Najib's situation.

"At the time the decision was made, Mum was with me. We were happy because at least there was a decision. There was a way out for my father.

"Although the opportunity is rather complicated for the family, we know what needs to be done," she said.

However, she said the family is still waiting for several matters to be finalised before commenting further on the implementation of the house arrest.

"Because right now, we are still waiting. There has been no final decision. So, I cannot comment beyond that.

"I know there is a lot of speculation out there. If we are to make decisions, we should base them on accurate information from the authorities," she said.

Nooryana also said the family was touched by the support shown by Umno and members of the public who had come forward with contributions to support efforts to secure Najib's release through house arrest.

"We were deeply touched when Umno announced that it would launch a solidarity fund for Datuk Seri Najib. Likewise, we are grateful for the efforts of ordinary Malaysians who have been willing to contribute.

"We are relieved that there is finally a way out. It gives hope to the family, although we understand that its implementation remains subject to the conditions set," she said.