High Court order on Najib’s house arrest clarifies legal questions, says Saifuddin

 The home minister says his ministry is prepared to implement the court’s decision.

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said all decisions made through constitutional channels must be respected and implemented in accordance with the law. (Bernama pic)

PUTRAJAYA:

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the High Court’s decision today allowing Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest has clarified legal questions recently raised by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

He welcomed the order and said his ministry was prepared to implement the court’s decision.

“The delay in implementation (of Najib’s house arrest) was due to legal questions concerning the interpretation of the conditional pardon order and the legal effect of the Nov 6, 2026, order of discharge.

“The High Court’s decision today has clarified these matters. The ministry respects the AGC’s stance that these issues required clarification through judicial processes.

“This is important to ensure every government action has a clear, orderly and valid legal basis,” he said in a statement.

Earlier today, the High Court set aside its previous order discharging Najib upon payment of a fine and issued a new order allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

Justice Aslam Zainuddin made the ruling after hearing the AGC’s application for clarification concerning the “erroneous” Nov 6 order of discharge issued following payment of the RM50 million fine.

This means Najib will serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest from today until Aug 23, 2028.

Saifuddin said his ministry respects and upholds the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decision on the pardon, adding that all decisions made through constitutional channels must be respected and implemented in accordance with the law.

He emphasised that it was the responsibility of the home ministry and prisons department to ensure every decision related to sentences and detention was carried out in accordance with the law and valid court orders.

“This is a high-profile case with significant implications for politics and public perception. As such, all parties must handle it with maturity and responsibility without allowing political polemics to jeopardise public confidence in national institutions,” he said. - FMT