No one should feel obliged to help pay RM50m fine, Najib tells supporters as Umno solidarity fund hits RM1m

No one should feel obliged to help pay RM50m fine, Najib tells supporters as Umno solidarity fund hits RM1m



Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak says he is grateful to supporters who have contributed towards the RM50 million condition imposed under his conditional pardon, but stressed that such support should be given ‘entirely of their own free will and according to their respective means’. — Picture by Firdaus Latif


Summary

• Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, after being granted a conditional royal pardon, expressed gratitude towards those contributing to the RM50 million fine imposed on him, emphasizing that such support should be voluntary and without obligation.
• A solidarity fund established by Umno collected RM1 million within a day, showcasing significant public support, although the initiative has received mixed reactions online.
• The fundraising was initiated to comply with the conditions set by the Federal Territories Pardons Board, which allows Najib to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest, provided he fulfills the financial condition.
• The fund's organizers promise transparency and adherence to relevant laws throughout the fundraising process.

First Published: Sunday, 20 Sep 2026 12:26 PM MYT
Last Modified: Sunday, 20 Sep 2026 12:50 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak says Malaysians who have offered to help pay the RM50 million fine required under his conditional royal pardon should not feel “burdened or obliged” to do so.

The statement from his lawyers comes as the Najib Razak Solidarity Fund set up by Umno to help him meet the payment reached RM1 million by 9.30am yesterday, less than a day after it was launched.

“While our client is deeply touched by these expressions of solidarity, he does not wish the Party, its members and supporters, or members of the public to feel burdened or obliged on his account,” Najib’s lawyers in the firm Messrs Shafee & Co said in a statement issued on his behalf.

The lawyers said Najib was grateful to those who had offered assistance towards meeting the condition imposed under his conditional pardon, but stressed that such support should be given “entirely of their own free will and according to their respective means”.


Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the fund collected RM165,645 within its first hour and RM634,562.02 within three hours, with many contributors giving RM10 or RM50.

Asyraf later announced that the fund had reached RM1 million and urged supporters to continue contributing, including donations of RM10.

The fund was launched after Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said contributions were open to party leaders, members and supporters, as well as anyone wishing to show their support voluntarily.


Zahid also said the initiative would be carried out transparently and systematically while complying with all applicable regulations and laws.

The fundraising effort has drawn mixed reactions online, with some questioning the decision to raise money for Najib and whether such funds could instead help people facing financial hardship.

The Federal Territories Pardons Board granted Najib a conditional pardon on Friday, allowing him to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to payment of the RM50 million fine and other conditions.

The Attorney General has clarified that the conditional pardon applies only to the prison sentence imposed in the SRC International case.