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The Malaysian High Court ruled that Najib can serve his sentence in the SRC case at home until August 23, 2028. However, if the verdict in the 1MDB case is not overturned, he will have to return to Kajang prison after the expiry of his sentence to continue his 15-year sentence.
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak must serve his sentence at home until August 23, 2028, the Malaysian High Court ruled today. However, he will also have to return to Kajang prison the day after its expiry to serve his 15-year sentence in the 1MDB case.
Malaysian media reported that a High Court judge today quashed the original verdict on November 6 and separately ruled that Najib Razak must serve the remaining sentence in the SRC International case at home until August 23, 2028, and must return to Kajang prison the day after expiration to begin his sentence in the 1Malaysia Development Company (1MDB) case.
Najib was sentenced to 15 years in prison each and fined a total of 11.4 billion ringgit (about US$2.811 billion) on four counts of abuse of power in the 1MDB case. If the fine is not paid he will face an additional 40 years’ imprisonment; Each of the other 21 money laundering cases was sentenced to 5 years in prison without any additional fine. Since the judge ruled that all the prison sentences would be served concurrently, he would actually have to serve 15 years in prison.
Najib has appealed against his conviction in the 1MDB case, but the High Court on October 14 this year rejected his application to suspend the execution of his 15-year jail sentence and RM11.4 billion fine. This system of home punishment only applies to SRC cases. Even if the verdict in the 1MDB case is not overturned, he will still have to return to prison to serve his sentence.
Najib went to the Kuala Lumpur High Court today to hear the verdict on the domestic punishment case. Malaysian media reported that he left the court by car at about 5:38 pm under the arrangement of prison bureau personnel, and arrived at Kajang Prison at about 6:20 pm, waiting for the prison to handle the procedures and follow-up arrangements to serve his sentence at home.
Prison Bureau and police convoys reached Najeeb’s house in the evening to prepare for his sentencing.
Police today blockaded and cordoned off Najib’s house to control public access and prevent unauthorized entry and exit. The media stood in the street waiting for Najib to return home. Najib returned home at 9:28 am, escorted by a police convoy.
Najib received a conditional pardon on September 18 this year, allowing him to serve his remaining sentence in the SRC case at home until August 23, 2028, after paying a fine of 50 million ringgit (about US$12.33 million) and complying with relevant conditions; Umno paid the fine on 6 November.
Transport Minister Loke Siu-fu, secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party, the largest party in the ruling coalition, has previously said he would resign as transport minister when Najib officially returns home. Loke Siu-fook announced today that he will resign as Transport Minister with immediate effect.
Summary FAQ
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The High Court ruled that Najib must serve the remainder of his sentence in the SRC International case at home until August 23, 2028; However, this ruling only applies to the SRC case and does not affect his criminal liability in the 1MDB case.
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Because he was still sentenced in the 1MDB case on 4 counts of abuse of power, a total of 15 years in prison, and 21 counts of money laundering, each sentenced to 5 years. If the original sentence is not overturned on appeal, he will still have to return to prison after serving his home sentence.
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Loke Siew Fook had earlier said that he would resign as Transport Minister once Najib officially returned home to serve his sentence; Now that the home punishment decision has come into effect, he has announced his resignation with immediate effect.
