Najib’s lawyer unaware of plans to settle RM50mil fine today

Najib Razak’s lawyer, Shafee Abdullah, says he has not received any instructions on whether the former prime minister will pay his RM50 million fine today.

“I did not receive any instructions on this. Maybe some reporters created this news,” Shafee told reporters at the court complex here.

Several media outlets earlier reported that Najib was expected to pay the fine, which would enable him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

A source was quoted as saying that Najib’s representative would make the payment at the court complex here.

Najib was jailed in August 2022 after the Federal Court upheld his conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million in SRC International funds.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million.

In January 2024, then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah halved Najib’s prison sentence and reduced his fine to RM50 million through a royal pardon.

In September this year, the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, granted Najib a further conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.

The arrangement is subject to payment of the RM50 million fine and compliance with other stipulated conditions.

Umno has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help its former president settle the amount.

Speaking at an event in Melaka yesterday, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the fundraising drive had yet to reach its target to cover Najib’s fine.