Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak is expected to be transferred from prison to house arrest after his political party paid a fine of 50 million ringgit (USD 12.3 million), fulfilling a key condition of his royal pardon, according to the news agency AP.Najib, 73, has been behind bars since August 2022, when Malaysia’s top court upheld his conviction in a case connected to the multibillion-dollar corruption scandal involving state investment fund Malaysia development berhad (1MDB).In September, Malaysia’s king granted the former prime minister a rare royal clemency, allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence for corruption under house arrest.United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) secretary-general Asyraf Wajid Dusuki said the party had successfully raised the required amount through a fundraising campaign to support Najib.In a statement, he confirmed that the party had completed the payment of the 50 million ringgit fine at the High Court earlier on Friday.The payment fulfils one of the major conditions stipulated in Najib’s royal pardon, paving the way for his transfer to house arrest.However, authorities have not yet clarified when the former prime minister will be moved from prison to his residence.Meanwhile, police personnel were deployed outside Najib’s home in Kuala Lumpur early Friday, while the road leading to the property was closed to traffic.
