Malaysia king warns against challenging Najib Razak house arrest order
Sultan Ibrahim stated that any attempt to contest the royal pardon for the former prime minister could be seen as defying his decree.
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim has warned that contesting the royal pardon allowing former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve two years under house arrest could constitute defiance of his decree, according to the Times of India.
The warning follows a delay in Najib's transfer from prison on Friday, even though his party paid a 50-million-ringgit fine, approximately $12 million, to meet a condition of the September pardon.
Najib has been imprisoned since 2022 following convictions for corruption and money laundering related to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. He has denied all wrongdoing.
The attorney-general’s office said the suspension occurred because questions arose regarding the legal interpretation of the pardon and a court order for Najib to leave jail.
The attorney-general’s chambers responded to claims of executive overreach by stating they are only seeking legal clarity and have not intended to suspend the king's order.
The office has requested that the matter be referred to the court for a formal determination and directions regarding the implementation of the decision.