Najib thanks Malaysians offering help, Zahid and Umno leadership for support

KUALA LUMPUR - Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has expressed gratitude to Malaysians who have offered to help him meet the RM50 million condition attached to his conditional pardon.

In a statement issued by his lawyers, Messrs Shafee & Co, Najib said he was deeply moved by the outpouring of support following the announcement of the pardon.

He said he was humbled that many Malaysians had come forward to offer assistance towards meeting the condition imposed.

However, Najib stressed that he did not want the public, Umno members or supporters to feel burdened or obliged on his account.

"He remains profoundly grateful to those who, entirely of their own free will and according to their respective means, have chosen to offer their support and assistance," the statement said.

Najib also expressed particular gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister, Umno president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He thanked Zahid, members of the Umno Supreme Council, as well as the leadership and members of Umno and BN at every level for standing by him.

In the statement, Najib had also thanked his family, friends and those who had kept him in their prayers, while asking that his family’s privacy be respected.

The statement comes as Najib’s legal team studies the terms attached to the conditional pardon under which he is to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

According to his lawyers, the transfer to house arrest depends on the conditions attached to the pardon being satisfied.

The lawyers said Najib remains in prison until the RM50 million fine is paid to the court.

They also said a significant part of his assets, bank accounts and properties remained subject to freezing orders and enforcement proceedings by the government.

They said Najib’s ability to satisfy the RM50 million condition therefore partly depended on matters outside his sole control.

His legal team is currently taking advice and considering his options on how best to give effect to the condition.

The lawyers said Najib received the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decision with the utmost humility and thanked the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories for considering his petition.

Messrs Shafee & Co said they would not be commenting further at this time.

The former Pekan MP has been serving his sentence at Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022, after the Federal Court upheld his conviction and 12-year jail term in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case.

In February 2024, the Federal Territories Pardons Board halved his prison term to six years and cut his initial RM210 million fine to RM50 million.

On Friday, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, granted Najib a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.

The decision, made at the 64th meeting of the Federal Territories Pardons Board, is subject to Najib paying the RM50 million fine and complying with the conditions imposed.