Story perspectives

King pardons Najib under house arrest, RM50 million fine

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 2:35 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

King Sultan Ibrahim granted Prime Minister Najib Razak a pardon to serve his sentence under house arrest.
The pardon obliges Najib to pay a RM50 million fine or return to prison.
UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi launched a donation drive to raise the fine.
DAP leader Anthony Loke said he would resign as transport minister over the pardon.
Anwar Ibrahim urged citizens to accept the king’s decision and uphold rule-of-law principles.

History

Historical Context

In 2004 the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Ja’afar pardoned former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim after the Federal Court overturned his sodomy conviction, freeing him from prison. Two decades later, in February 2024 the pardons board cut former prime minister Najib Razak’s 12-year term, prompting public backlash and renewed debate over Malaysia’s rule of law.

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Story summary

King Sultan Ibrahim granted Prime Minister Najib Razak a pardon to serve his sentence under house arrest.
The pardon obliges Najib to pay a RM50 million fine or return to prison.
UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi launched a donation drive to raise the fine.
DAP leader Anthony Loke said he would resign as transport minister over the pardon.
Anwar Ibrahim urged citizens to accept the king’s decision and uphold rule-of-law principles.

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