KUALA LUMPUR, November 7, 2026 – Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak will remain in prison after authorities temporarily postponed his planned transfer to house arrest, following fresh legal questions surrounding a royal pardon granted by the country’s monarch.

The decision has triggered a dispute involving the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Najib’s legal representatives and the Malaysian monarchy, creating renewed political uncertainty within Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s governing coalition.

Najib, who served as Malaysia’s prime minister from 2009 to 2018, had been expected to leave prison and serve the remaining portion of his reduced sentence under house arrest.

However, the Attorney-General’s Chambers announced on November 6 that the implementation should be temporarily deferred until the legal implications of the royal pardon and a related court order are clarified.

Royal Pardon Raises Legal Questions

Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim granted Najib a conditional pardon on September 18, 2026, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to specified conditions.

One of those conditions involved settling a fine of 50 million Malaysian ringgit.

Najib’s political party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), subsequently paid the amount on his behalf through funds collected from supporters.

A Malaysian court also issued an order on November 6 permitting the former prime minister to begin serving his remaining sentence at home.

Despite these developments, the Attorney-General’s Chambers raised questions about how the pardon should be interpreted and whether payment of the fine meant that the remaining prison sentence had been completed or should continue under house arrest.

The authorities also highlighted possible implications for another prison sentence Najib received in a separate corruption case.

Malaysian King Calls for Implementation of Pardon

The dispute intensified on November 7 when King Sultan Ibrahim publicly defended his decision.

The monarch described the pardon order as clear and unambiguous, expressing concern over the uncertainty surrounding its implementation.

His intervention increased pressure on authorities to resolve the legal questions surrounding Najib’s proposed transfer.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers, meanwhile, maintained that it was seeking legal clarification rather than challenging or overturning the royal pardon.

The legal dispute could ultimately require further judicial directions to establish how the relevant orders should be implemented.

Background: Najib’s Involvement in the 1MDB Scandal

Najib’s imprisonment is connected to the financial scandal involving 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a Malaysian state investment fund established during his time in office.

International investigators have estimated that approximately US$4.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund through a complex international financial scheme.

Najib was convicted in a case involving RM42 million transferred from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

He began serving his prison sentence in August 2022.

In December 2025, he also received a separate 15-year prison sentence in another 1MDB-related case involving abuse of power and money laundering. He has appealed that conviction.

Najib has consistently denied wrongdoing in the wider scandal.

The separate sentence is particularly important because the outcome of the legal questions surrounding his earlier sentence could affect when the additional prison term is served.

Political Tensions Within Anwar Ibrahim’s Government

The controversy has created fresh challenges for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s multi-party governing coalition.

UMNO, Najib’s political party, remains part of the coalition despite differences with Anwar’s political alliance over the treatment of the former prime minister.

The proposed house arrest arrangement has exposed disagreements between coalition partners over corruption accountability, royal authority and the administration of justice.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke has indicated that he would resign from the Cabinet once Najib begins house arrest.

The situation could therefore have consequences beyond Najib’s personal legal circumstances, potentially affecting cooperation among parties supporting the current government.

What Happens Next?

For now, Najib remains at Kajang Prison while the relevant authorities seek clarification regarding the royal pardon and associated court orders.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers has indicated that further action will follow once the legal questions have been examined.

The central issue is whether the payment of the RM50 million fine satisfies the conditions for house arrest and how the remaining prison sentence should be treated alongside Najib’s separate 1MDB conviction.

The dispute has placed Malaysia’s legal institutions, monarchy and governing coalition under renewed public scrutiny.

Conclusion

The postponement of Najib Razak’s house arrest has developed into a significant legal and political issue in Malaysia. While the royal pardon provides for an alternative arrangement to serve his remaining sentence, disagreements over its interpretation have delayed implementation.

The eventual legal clarification could have important consequences for Najib’s imprisonment, Malaysia’s political coalition and the country’s approach to accountability in major corruption cases.