Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should be allowed to serve the remainder of his six-year prison sentence at home immediately if the High Court rules next Monday that his house arrest order can be carried out, his lawyer said today.
Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah insisted that Najib must be released into house arrest without delay, even if the Malaysian government decides to appeal any ruling in his client’s favour.
“On December 22, Monday, if the decision is in favour of Datuk Seri Najib, technically he must be placed under house arrest immediately,” Shafee told reporters at a press conference in the lobby of the Kuala Lumpur court complex.
Shafee argued that the government cannot request the High Court to stay or suspend the enforcement of the house arrest order while appealing, as this would infringe on Najib’s liberty.
“You cannot stay liberty. Liberty must be given,” he added.
