Najib Razak Loses House Arrest Bid as Malaysian Court Rules Royal Order Invalid

The king’s order was real, but it wasn't legal. Jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s attempt to serve the rest of his corruption sentence from home has been struck down. The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that a royal “addendum order” permitting the move is invalid because it failed to follow constitutional procedures.

A Royal Order Without Power

According to Reuters, Judge Alice Loke said the existence of the order wasn't in dispute—its authenticity was later confirmed by the Royal House of Pahang. However, she ruled it's not legally enforceable as it wasn't made in consultation with the country's Pardons Board, a requirement under the constitution. “The addendum order was not deliberated nor decided in the 61st Pardons Board meeting. There was no compliance with Article 42, consequently it is not a valid order,” the judge said, as reported by the Malay Mail.

From 1MDB Scandal to a Legal Saga

Najib, now 72, has been imprisoned since August 2022 for his role in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB corruption scandal. He was initially sentenced to 12 years, but his sentence was halved by a royal pardon in January 2024. The legal battle over the house arrest order has been protracted, with lower courts dismissing his request in July 2024, only for the Court of Appeal to overturn it in January 2025, leading to today's final hearing at the High Court.

"Shocking" Verdict Sparks Political Divide

After the ruling, Najib’s lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah described the outcome as “shocking” to reporters, claiming it reduced the powers of Malaysia’s monarchy. He confirmed that his client would appeal the verdict.

The response has fallen along partisan lines. According to TheVibes.com, Najib’s Barisan Nasional coalition expressed “disappointment and empathy,” while lawmakers from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan coalition showed “relief and approval.”