Former prime minister Najib Razak is currently serving his six-year jail term in prison. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has rescheduled to Dec 22 its verdict on whether former prime minister Najib Razak can serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest, having previously fixed the case for decision on Jan 5 next year.
Justice Loke Yee Ching agreed to deliver her decision earlier following an application by lawyers acting for Najib, who is serving his six-year jail term in prison.
Senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan did not object to the application during case management conducted via Zoom.
In its application, Najib’s solicitors Shafee & Co said their client has had to endure a prolonged court process and pointed out that nearly two years have passed since the royal addendum decree was issued in early 2024.
The law firm said its 72‑year‑old client’s prolonged detention has caused distress, trauma, and a decline in his overall wellbeing, necessitating an earlier decision date.
“We further respectfully refer to the observations of the then chief judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim, who presided over the Federal Court appeal on Aug 13 and emphasised the urgency of concluding this matter in view of the liberty interests at stake.”
Najib was convicted of misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International Sdn Bhd funds and has been serving his sentence at Kajang prison since Aug 23, 2022.
The Federal Territories Pardons Board later halved his prison term from 12 years to six and reduced his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
A judicial review was filed last year seeking to compel the government to execute the addendum, or supplementary decree, to place him under house arrest.
Najib claimed that the supplementary decree was not announced by the pardons board, and that the government was in contempt for not executing it.
On July 2 last year, High Court judge Amarjeet Singh refused Najib leave to adduce additional evidence, ruling that the supporting affidavits were hearsay.
Najib appealed to the Court of Appeal, and shortly before the hearing, his son Nizar filed an affidavit supporting his father’s bid to adduce the addendum as fresh evidence.
On Jan 6 this year, the appeals court, by a 2-1 majority, allowed the addendum to be entered into evidence and granted the former prime minister leave to pursue judicial review proceedings.
On Aug 13, the Federal Court upheld the Court of Appeal’s majority ruling.
