Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak faces strict restrictions under his house arrest arrangement, with even a single breach potentially sending him back to Kajang Prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
According to the New Straits Times (NST), the 73-year-old is subject to tight conditions at his Jalan Langgak Duta residence, leaving him with very limited personal freedom.
Najib is prohibited from engaging in political activities, making media statements or receiving visitors without prior written approval.
He is also barred from organising or attending events and gatherings anywhere, including at his own residence.
Any violation of the conditions could invalidate his conditional pardon, requiring him to return to Kajang Prison or another facility designated by the Prisons Department’s commissioner-general.
The former Pekan MP is also believed to face restrictions on using phones and other communication devices, which must be registered with the Prisons Department and used solely to communicate with or report to his appointed house arrest officer.
He must also respond when contacted by the officer through periodic telephone calls.
Najib is further prohibited from deliberately exposing himself to media coverage or appearing on social media.
Only his wives, children, children-in-law and grandchildren are allowed to live with him without prior written permission. Anyone else wishing to stay at the residence must obtain approval from the commissioner-general, while all visitors require prior written consent.
If circumstances reasonably prevent Najib from submitting a written application to leave the residence, he may make an oral request. However, the commissioner-general must document both the application and decision in writing.
Throughout the house arrest period, Najib will remain under the control and supervision of prison authorities. He must follow their instructions, maintain good behaviour, avoid misconduct, obey the law and refrain from committing any criminal offence.
The commissioner-general also has the authority to impose additional conditions when granting permission following an application from Najib.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is expected to address questions surrounding the house arrest arrangement in Parliament.
“I’ll answer all those questions in Parliament tomorrow (today),” he told NST.
Najib has received royal clemency twice in relation to his SRC International conviction, first through a reduction in his prison sentence and fine, followed by permission to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
On Jan 29, 2024, his original 12-year prison sentence was reduced by half to six years, while his RM210 million fine was cut to RM50 million.
His release date was subsequently brought forward to Aug 23, 2028, although he faced an additional year in prison if he failed to pay the reduced fine.
Najib began serving his sentence on Aug 23, 2022, after the Federal Court dismissed his final appeal against his conviction and sentence.
On Sept 18 this year, he received a second conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence at his Jalan Langgak Duta residence until Aug 23, 2028.
The order did not reduce his sentence and was conditional upon payment of the RM50 million fine and compliance with the house arrest requirements.
The fine was paid on Nov 6, prompting the High Court to issue a discharge order upon payment. His residence was also gazetted as a prison under the Prisons Act 1995 on the same day.
However, the wording of the discharge order triggered a legal dispute, with the prosecution arguing that it incorrectly treated house arrest as an alternative to paying the fine.
The prosecution further argued that treating Najib’s SRC sentence as completed would trigger the commencement of his separate 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) prison sentences, which were ordered to begin after the SRC sentence and must be served in prison.
On Nov 10, the prosecution filed an application to correct the discharge order.
High Court judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin subsequently summoned both parties on Tuesday to address errors in the original order before replacing it with a fresh order allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest, effective that day.
