Full Breakdown
Najib Razak Seeks Court Stay of 15-Year 1MDB Sentence
By Drooid · · How we work
Background of 1MDB Convictions
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, 73, has been serving a 12-year term in Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary. In December 2025 he was convicted on 25 counts of power abuse and money laundering. A separate 15-year sentence for a RM2.28 billion 1MDB-related trial was imposed in December 2025 and is set to run consecutively after the SRC term ends. The Malaysian king granted a conditional royal pardon that would allow Najib to serve the remainder of his original sentence under house arrest, provided he pays a RM50 million fine.
Legal Request and Court Schedule
On September 25, Najib’s lead counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah filed an application asking the Kuala Lumpur High Court to suspend the 15-year sentence pending an appeal. The court has scheduled a hearing for October 14; written submissions must be filed by October 13. If the fine is paid and the stay granted, Shafee said Najib could be released on the same day.
Official Statements & Responses
Shafee told reporters that all of Najib’s bank accounts—including the Affin Bank account used for his parliamentary salary—remain frozen, preventing payment of the RM50 million fine. He noted that the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) has launched a public fundraising drive, but the total amount collected is unknown. Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P. Kunyalam indicated the prosecution will file an affidavit in response to the stay application.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My answer until today is that Datuk Seri Najib himself cannot afford it. He himself cannot pay.” — Muhammad Shafee, his lawyer
- “So we ask for a stay so that the stay has an effect,” — Muhammad Shafee, his lawyer
What’s Next
The High Court will decide on the stay on October 14. Should the application succeed and the fine be settled, Najib could transition from prison to house arrest immediately; otherwise the 15-year term will commence after his current sentence concludes.