Kuala lumpur: The Prisons Department has not yet received an official letter notifying it of the Pardons Board's decision regarding the conditional pardon for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the department must review the official notification to ensure that the decision is implemented in accordance with existing laws. He emphasized the need to see the letter first, as Najib is currently serving his prison sentence. Saifuddin explained that house arrest would mean Najib would no longer be in prison but at another location, which requires following a specific process.
Saifuddin mentioned that he would only comment to the media after receiving the official notification letter. He highlighted the importance of examining the letter to understand the details of the Pardons Board's decision, such as whether the board specified a location for house arrest or left it to the Prisons Department to implement. The letter is also necessary to determine if the Pardons Board has made any other decisions or issued further directives.
Yesterday, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, granted Najib a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, contingent upon the payment of a RM50 million fine and other conditions. The ministry had previously been notified of a reduction in Najib's prison sentence from 12 to six years and his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million, with a conditional release date set for August 23, 2028, if the fine was paid, or August 23, 2029, if it was not.
Saifuddin noted that Malaysia currently lacks specific legislation on house arrest, but the ministry has received in-principle approval from the Cabinet to begin drafting a House Arrest Bill, particularly to address prison overcrowding involving remand detainees. He explained that house arrest is a mechanism used by prison authorities worldwide to alleviate overcrowding, especially among remand detainees. Currently, 41 prisons nationwide house about 93,000 inmates, compared to a total capacity of around 75,000.