Najib’s RM50 million fine unpaid as frozen assets block return home
Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak cannot pay the RM50 million fine imposed as a condition of his house arrest, his lead defence counsel has confirmed, leaving his return home in limbo while his bank accounts remain frozen…
Source: Malaysiakini · The Star · The Edge Malaysia · September 25, 2026 at 5:14 AM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak cannot pay the RM50 million fine imposed as a condition of his house arrest, his lead defence counsel has confirmed, leaving his return home in limbo while his bank accounts remain frozen and no public fundraising has been disclosed.
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Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told reporters outside the High Court on Friday that Najib lacks the financial means to settle the sum, despite having returned RM2.6 billion to its original sender. His Affin Bank account—where his official salary and allowances as former prime minister and Member of Parliament were deposited—has been frozen by authorities, Shafee said.
The RM50 million fine stems from Najib’s RM2.28 billion 1MDB-related conviction in July, when he was ordered to repay the full amount. The court set the fine as a prerequisite for his house arrest, though legal experts have questioned whether it is enforceable under Malaysian law.
Shafee dismissed speculation about Najib’s wealth, saying critics questioning the RM2.6 billion repayment had not followed the legal proceedings. He added that Najib’s legal team is still battling to delay the execution of his 15-year jail sentence and RM11.38 billion fine in the 1MDB trial, filed separately on Thursday.
Najib’s financial predicament underscores the lingering consequences of the 1MDB scandal, which saw him stripped of his political leadership and assets seized. His legal team is now navigating parallel proceedings—including the RM11.38 billion fine and the RM50 million house arrest condition—while Umno has not disclosed any public fundraising efforts to assist him.
Shafee revealed he had no information on the total amount collected so far from Umno’s public fundraising campaign. The lawyer spoke to the press following a court session regarding Najib’s application for a stay of execution on his prison sentence and fine in the RM2.28 billion 1MDB trial.
The RM50 million fine, though substantial, pales in comparison to the RM11.38 billion judgment in the 1MDB case—a figure Najib’s legal team has argued is disproportionate. The disparity raises questions about the practicality of enforcing both penalties, particularly given his frozen assets.
Najib’s legal team is now focused on delaying execution while addressing the immediate financial hurdle. The outcome of his stay application could set a precedent for future cases involving similar asset forfeitures, though no immediate resolution is expected.
The case reflects broader tensions in Malaysia’s political and legal landscape, where high-profile corruption cases continue to shape governance and public trust. Najib’s situation remains a test of both judicial rigor and political accountability in post-scandal Malaysia.
Related: Affin Bank · High Court · Najib Razak · Kuala Lumpur