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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: Former Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has returned to the centre of public debate following a conditional royal pardon that allows him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest, subject to a RM50 million fine, while his party has launched a fundraising campaign to help meet the financial condition.
The Najib Razak Solidarity Fund, launched by the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), collected RM1 million by 9.30am on Saturday, less than a day after it was launched. The fund had raised RM165,645 within its first hour and RM634,562.02 within three hours, according to Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. Many of the contributions were reportedly RM10 or RM50.
Najib, however, has said that party members, supporters and members of the public should not feel obliged to contribute towards the fine.
In a statement issued through his lawyers, Najib said he was deeply touched by the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance but did not want Umno, its members and supporters, or members of the public to feel burdened because of him.
His lawyers said any contribution should be made entirely voluntarily and according to individual means.
Following the launch of the fund, Asyraf urged supporters to continue contributing, including donations of as little as RM10. Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said party leaders, members and supporters, as well as anyone wishing to express solidarity with Najib, could contribute voluntarily.
Zahid also said the fundraising would be conducted transparently and systematically and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The initiative has meanwhile prompted mixed reactions on social media, with some questioning the rationale for collecting public donations to help settle the fine and others asking whether such funds could instead be directed towards people facing financial hardship.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has meanwhile cautioned that the wider implications of Najib’s conditional pardon must be considered, particularly its potential effect on public confidence in the justice system and Malaysia’s international standing.
Anwar said Najib had the right to seek a pardon but rejected suggestions that he had paved the way for the former premier to receive the conditional pardon.
Speaking at the “Hi-Tea Reunion Perintis Reformis” event in Shah Alam, Anwar said every prisoner had the right to submit an appeal for consideration by the Pardons Board, which is chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
He said the prime minister and attorney general could provide advice, but the power to grant a pardon rested with the Pardons Board.
Anwar also said he had reminded the board about Najib’s ongoing court cases, the exceptionally large amount of the fine and the potential implications of the decision for public confidence in the justice system and Malaysia’s international image.
The Federal Territories Pardons Board granted Najib a conditional royal pardon on Friday, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to payment of the RM50 million fine and compliance with other conditions.
The decision was made at the 64th meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya at Istana Negara.
Under the order, failure to comply with the conditions would result in revocation of the conditional pardon and Najib returning to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
As of Sunday, however, Najib had not yet moved to house arrest.
The Malaysian Prisons Department said it was still awaiting official written notification of the Pardons Board’s decision before taking further action to implement the arrangement.
Najib, 73, has been held at Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022, after the Federal Court upheld his conviction in the SRC International case.
His original 12-year prison sentence and RM210 million fine were reduced by half following a 2024 decision of the Federal Territories Pardons Board, leaving a six-year sentence and a RM50 million fine.
Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar has also clarified that the latest conditional pardon applies only to the prison sentence imposed in the SRC International case and does not directly affect Najib’s other ongoing legal cases.
The government has meanwhile maintained that its position on combating corruption remains unchanged. Communications Minister and MADANI Government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the conditional pardon, including the house-arrest arrangement and RM50 million fine, falls within the constitutional powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He also said ongoing cases involving Najib would continue to be dealt with according to law.