Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Najib Seeks Stay of Additional 15-Year Sentence After Pardon
Najib Razak is a former leader of Malaysia who is in prison for corruption linked to a state fund.
He has received a conditional royal pardon that could allow him to serve part of his sentence at home.
To use that arrangement, he must pay a large fine.
Najib is also facing another 15-year prison sentence from a separate case.
His lawyers want a court to pause that second sentence while he appeals.
The court will consider the request on October 14.
Najib says he did not knowingly do anything wrong and was misled about money in his accounts.
Investigators say billions of dollars were taken from the fund, with some money linked to Najib.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has asked the Kuala Lumpur High Court to suspend an additional 15-year prison sentence.
The court is expected to rule on his request on October 14 while he appeals his conviction.
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim recently granted Najib a conditional pardon allowing house arrest, subject to a 50 million ringgit fine.
Najib could be released if he pays the fine and receives the sentence stay, but his lawyer said the payment remains unresolved.
The cases involve the alleged theft of billions of dollars from the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, which Najib co-founded.
- Who
- Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, his lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, and Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim.
- What
- Najib has requested a stay of an additional 15-year prison sentence pending his appeal.
- When
- The request was reported on September 25, and the Kuala Lumpur High Court is due to decide on October 14.
- Where
- The case is being considered by the Kuala Lumpur High Court in Malaysia.
- Why
- Najib wants the sentence paused while he appeals; if the stay is granted and he pays the required fine, he could potentially be released under the conditional pardon.
Najib’s Legal Position
Conviction and Investigators’ Findings
Sentence stay
Najib’s Legal Position
Najib’s lawyers are seeking a pause in the additional 15-year sentence while he appeals the conviction.
Conviction and Investigators’ Findings
The sentence follows a separate conviction linked to corruption at 1Malaysia Development Berhad and would begin after his current imprisonment or house arrest.
Responsibility for the funds
Najib’s Legal Position
Najib maintains his innocence and says he was misled about the source of money deposited into accounts linked to him.
Conviction and Investigators’ Findings
US and Malaysian investigators say billions were stolen from 1Malaysia Development Berhad, including about $1 billion that reached accounts linked to Najib.
Potential release
Najib’s Legal Position
Najib’s lawyer said there is a good chance he could be released if the fine is paid and the sentence stay is granted.
Conviction and Investigators’ Findings
The house-arrest terms remain unclear because Najib’s legal team has not received official documents confirming the royal pardon.
- Conditional pardon
- Granted by Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim last week.
- House-arrest condition
- Najib must pay a 50 million ringgit ($12.27 million) fine.
- Additional sentence
- A separate 15-year prison term was imposed after a December conviction linked to 1MDB corruption.
- Court hearing
- The Kuala Lumpur High Court will decide on the stay request on October 14.
- Expected release date
- His original sentence was expected to end in August 2028.
- Alleged losses
- US and Malaysian investigators say at least $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB.
- Fine payment status
- Najib’s lawyer said he has been unable to pay because many of his assets remain frozen.