SHAH ALAM, Sept 20 — As UMNO’s solidarity fund for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak continues to receive contributions, with over RM1 million raised within three hours of its launch, his lawyer said Najib would remain in Kajang Prison until the RM50 million fine is paid to the court.
Speaking on his behalf, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah explained a significant portion of Najib’s assets, bank accounts, and properties are still frozen by the government, which means he cannot freely access or dispose of them to meet the RM50 million payment condition.
“The pardon granted is a conditional one. As the announcement makes clear, our client’s transfer to house arrest depends upon the conditions attached being satisfied.
“In the meantime, and until the fine is paid to the court, our client remains in Kajang Prison.
“Our client and our legal team are presently studying those terms and their practical implications,” he said in a statement via a post on Najib’s official Facebook page today.
Shafee’s statement came amid public criticism and dissatisfaction on social media, after Najib’s supporters shared their donation receipts following calls by several UMNO leaders for the party' s three million members to contribute as low as RM10 to RM50 each to raise RM50 million for the party’s former president.
On Friday (September 18), His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, granted a conditional pardon to the former premier.
The pardon allows Najib to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, if he pays a RM50 million fine. The decision was made at the Federal Territories Pardons Board meeting.
Shafee added that Najib has been deeply moved by the outpouring of support he has received since the announcement, while thanking UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, its Supreme Council, as well as the party’s leadership and members.
“As to the condition requiring payment of Ringgit Malaysia Fifty Million (RM50,000,000.00), a significant part of his assets, bank accounts and properties remains subject to freezing orders and enforcement proceedings by the government, and their disposal is not presently within his sole control.
“His ability to satisfy the condition therefore turns in part on matters that do not lie in his own hands.
“In those circumstances, our client is presently taking advice and considering his options as to how best to give effect to the condition,” he said.
Shafee noted that Najib is also grateful to Malaysians who had shown their support and solidarity by offering to contribute towards the payment.
However, the ex-Pekan MP has chosen “not to burden” them by accepting the assistance.
“Our client is likewise grateful to the many Malaysians who have come forward to offer assistance towards meeting the condition imposed. He is humbled that so many should wish to stand with him.
“While our client is deeply touched by these expressions of solidarity, he does not wish the party, its members and supporters, or members of the public 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. Their kindness is a source of great strength to him at this time,” he said.
