Najib’s ability to pay RM50mil fine ‘not entirely in his hands’, say lawyers

Najib’s ability to pay RM50mil fine ‘not entirely in his hands’, say lawyers

4 hours ago

FMT Reporters

Messrs Shafee & Co says a significant part of the former prime minister's assets, bank accounts and properties remains subject to freezing orders and enforcement proceedings by the government.

Najib Razak will serve the remainder of his sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, after receiving a conditional pardon on Friday that requires him to pay his RM50 million fine. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Former prime minister Najib Razak’s ability to pay his RM50 million fine imposed as a condition for his house arrest is partly beyond his control as most of his assets remain subject to freezing orders and enforcement proceedings, say his lawyers.

Under the conditional pardon granted to Najib on Friday, the former Umno president will serve the remainder of his sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of the fine.

In a statement issued on his behalf today, Messrs Shafee & Co said Najib was considering his options on how best to fulfil the condition.

The law firm said he remained in Kajang prison while the condition was being addressed, and that his legal team was studying the terms of the conditional pardon and their practical implications.

“A significant part of his assets, bank accounts and properties remains subject to freezing orders and enforcement proceedings by the government, and their disposal is not presently within his sole control,” it said.

“His ability to satisfy the condition, therefore, turns in part on matters that do not lie in his own hands.”

The lawyers said Najib also expressed gratitude to those who had offered assistance towards meeting the RM50 million condition.

However, they said, he did not want Umno members, supporters or members of the public to feel burdened or obliged to assist him.

“He remains profoundly grateful to those who, entirely of their own free will and according to their respective means, have chosen to offer their support and assistance,” they said.

“Their kindness is a source of great strength to him at this time.”

The firm said Najib was grateful to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, for  “graciously exercising the royal prerogative of mercy in his favour”.

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“Our client receives His Majesty’s decision with the utmost humility,” it said.

Najib, 73, was granted a conditional pardon by the Agong on Friday, allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of his RM50 million fine and other conditions.

The legal affairs division of the Prime Minister’s Department said Najib must comply with all the conditions imposed, failing which the conditional pardon would be revoked. It did not provide details of the conditions.

Najib was imprisoned in August 2022 after the Federal Court upheld his conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million belonging to SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

He had been serving a reduced six-year prison sentence at Kajang prison after the Federal Territories Pardons Board halved his original 12-year sentence in February 2024. The initial RM210 million fine was also reduced to RM50 million.

The Agong presides over meetings of the FTPB, which comprises the attorney-general, the federal territories minister, and three members appointed by him.

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Surely Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary can help, either derma or advance dulu - assuming he wants to, and ...

as for Toonsie, afterall, Najib was his mentee once😂😂😂