KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak can be returned to prison if he breaches any conditions of his house arrest, the country’s interior minister said on Thursday.
Najib, who served as prime minister from 2009 to 2018, was moved from prison to his Kuala Lumpur home on Tuesday after spending four years behind bars. The transfer followed a royal pardon from King Sultan Ibrahim in September, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence for a corruption conviction linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal at home.
Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told parliament that the 73-year-old former leader may live with immediate family members, including wives, children, in-laws and grandchildren. However, he is barred from making public statements through the press or social media.
Najib is also prohibited from attending public gatherings or engaging in political activities. He may use phones and other communication devices only with permission from the Prisons Department, while visitors require written approval.
The former premier must also take part in a rehabilitation and intervention programme. Saifuddin said any violation of the conditions could result in Najib being immediately returned to Kajang Prison or another facility determined by the Prisons Department commissioner general.
The minister said he had rejected Najib’s request to add a second residence for his house arrest but was considering several other appeals from the former prime minister.
Najib’s September pardon was his second. In 2024, the previous king halved his original 12-year sentence. He also faces an additional 15-year prison term after being convicted in a separate 1MDB-linked corruption case last year, a verdict he is appealing.
Najib has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, saying he was made a scapegoat in the 1MDB scandal. US investigators estimate that at least $4.5 billion was stolen from the state investment fund, while prosecutors say more than $1 billion ended up in accounts linked to Najib.