Saifuddin: Immediate family allowed to stay with Najib under house arrest

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak may only live with members of his immediate family while serving the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, with any other occupants requiring prior written approval.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the conditions governing Najib’s confinement had been explained to him two days before he was transferred from prison to his residence at No. 11, Jalan Langgak Duta.

Responding to Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) in the Dewan Rakyat, Saifuddin said the conditional pardon order was forwarded to the Home Ministry and the Prisons Department for implementation.

He said the order contained two main elements – the decision to place Najib under house arrest, subject to payment of the RM50 million fine and with his release date set for Aug 23, 2028, as well as the conditions governing his confinement.

“The conditions covered four main areas: restrictions on residence and association; movement and visits; the use of telephones and telecommunications devices; and mandatory participation in rehabilitation and intervention programmes,” he said.

Najib is not allowed to move to another house, building or premises, or leave the designated residence without prior written permission.

The Langgak Duta property has been designated as his place of confinement, with the Home Ministry using its powers under Section 3 of the Prisons Act to gazette the premises.

Saifuddin said Najib may only use telephones and telecommunications equipment registered with the Prisons Department, allowing authorities to verify his presence at the residence.

He is also prohibited from making statements or comments to the media, appearing on social media platforms, attending public gatherings or taking part in political activities.

Najib is also required to participate in rehabilitation programmes.

Saifuddin said the Prisons Department had been authorised to impose additional conditions where necessary to ensure proper supervision and monitoring.

He added that the framework was not drawn up solely for Najib, but could also be used in similar cases in future.

Any breach of the conditions would result in Najib being returned immediately to Kajang Prison or another prison designated by the Prisons Department’s commissioner-general.

“The principle is clear: conditions are imposed, and if they are breached, the order will be revoked immediately and the prisoner returned to prison,” Saifuddin said.