Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Najib could be freed from Kajang Prison next month if court stays sentence
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak may walk free from Kajang Prison as early as next month if the High Court grants a stay on his 15-year 1MDB sentence, according to his legal team. The release would be contingent on payment of the RM50 million fine imposed in the case.
LSN Malaysia ·
KUALA LUMPUR — Legal representatives for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak have indicated that the imprisoned politician could be released from Kajang Prison within weeks if the High Court approves a stay of execution on his convictions related to the 1MDB scandal.
The potential early release hinges on two conditions: the High Court must grant a stay on Najib's 15-year prison sentence, and his legal team must settle the RM50 million fine that was part of the original sentencing handed down in the case.
Najib, who served as Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister, has been incarcerated at Kajang Prison following his conviction on charges stemming from the misappropriation of billions of ringgit from the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). His legal defence team has maintained active proceedings in the High Court to challenge aspects of the conviction.
The possibility of his release comes as his legal team continues to pursue various appellate remedies. Sources suggest that if both the stay of sentence and payment conditions are satisfied, his departure from the prison could occur as early as the following month.
The development marks a significant juncture in one of Malaysia's most high-profile financial crime cases, with implications for the country's ongoing efforts to address the massive fraud that shook public confidence in government institutions.