Frozen assets may hinder RM50m payment for Najib’s house arrest, his lawyers say

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s ability to pay the RM50 million fine required for his house arrest could be complicated by frozen assets, bank accounts and properties subject to government enforcement proceedings, according to his lawyers.

The legal firm Messrs Shafee & Co said a “significant part” of Najib’s assets remained subject to freezing orders and enforcement proceedings, meaning their disposal was not presently within his sole control.

“His ability to satisfy the condition therefore turns in part on matters that do not lie in his own hands,” the lawyers said in a statement issued on Najib’s behalf.

Najib remains at Kajang Prison in the meantime and will only be transferred to house arrest once the conditions are satisfied, the lawyers added.

Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said yesterday that Najib must first pay the RM50 million fine at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Registrar’s Office before the house-arrest process can proceed.

The Federal Territories Pardons Board granted Najib a conditional pardon on Friday, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to the payment and other conditions.

Najib’s lawyers also thanked the King and the Federal Territories Pardons Board for the decision, while Najib expressed gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Umno supreme council and the party and Barisan Nasional leadership and members for their support.

Najib has been serving a six-year sentence at Kajang Prison since August 2022 after the Federal Court upheld his conviction in the SRC International case; his original 12-year sentence and RM210 million fine were reduced to six years and RM50 million respectively following a 2024 pardon.