Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says he disagrees with Umno paying former prime minister Najib Razak’s RM50 million fine, saying the move could give the public the impression that large-scale corruption can go unpunished.
Najib was granted a house arrest order by the Kuala Lumpur High Court today after Umno settled the fine using funds collected through a donation drive launched in September.
“My personal view is that I disagree with this as it could give the public the impression that large-scale corruption can go unpunished,” Anwar told reporters after Friday prayers here.
Umno settles Najib’s fine
Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced earlier today that the party had paid the fine using funds raised through its donation drive.
Najib’s lawyer, Farhan Shafee, later confirmed that the payment had been made and said he would deliver the house arrest order to Kajang Prison, where Najib has been held since 2022.
Najib’s sentence and royal pardons
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’ imprisonment and fined RM210 million.
In January 2024, a royal pardon halved his prison sentence and reduced his fine to RM50 million.
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 was subject to Najib paying the RM50 million fine and complying with other stipulated conditions.
