Malaysia’s Najib scores court victory in 1MDB-linked house arrest bid

In a split 2-1 decision, the court overturned a previous High Court ruling that had rejected Najib’s request to review his sentence related to the case.

Najib, 71, has lobbied hard for his release from jail, backed by a fiercely loyal political base and a controversial claim that a supplementary decree from the country’s previous king authorised his transfer to house arrest. He began serving his jail term at Kajang Prison in 2022.

The appeal court’s ruling permits Najib to present fresh evidence, including a letter from the sultan of Pahang and an affidavit from his son, Nizar Najib, purportedly affirming the existence of the royal decree.

“Given the fact there is no challenge [of the existence of the decree], there is no justification that the order has not been complied with. This court cannot simply ignore the existence of the order,” said Judge Mohd Firuz Jaffril, delivering the decision on behalf of the appeal court’s three-member panel.

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The ruling stopped short of granting Najib immediate house arrest, a disappointment for the hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya. Chants of “Long live the king!” erupted as the decision was announced, but the celebratory mood quickly turned sombre as it became clear the legal battle was far from over.