Malaysia confirms existence of document central to ex-PM Najib’s house arrest bid, reports say

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Najib, who was prime minister between 2009 and 2018, was found guilty in 2020 of graft and money laundering linked to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB.

PHOTO: REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysias Attorney-Generals Chambers on July 9 confirmed for the first time the existence of a royal order that jailed ex-premier Najib Razak says would allow him to serve his prison sentence for corruption at home, local media reported.

Najib, who was prime minister between 2009 and 2018, was found guilty in 2020 of graft and money laundering linked to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

In 2022, he was ordered to

spend 12 years in prison for the crime

Najib, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, contends that the pardons board decision was accompanied by

an addendum order from the former monarch granting him house arrest

Malaysias Court of Appeal in January allowed Najibs bid to apply for a judicial review that would compel the government to confirm the existence of the addendum order, and to execute it if it exists.

The former kings palace has said the document does exist, but Malaysian authorities including its law and home ministries have previously said they had no record or any knowledge of it.

However, a lawyer acting on behalf of the Attorney-General said he did not