Rafizi presses government to explain Najib house arrest terms

FORMER minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders to explain the terms of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest and publicly disclose the terms attached to his conditional pardon.

In a statement issued on behalf of Bersama, Rafizi said Malaysians should be allowed to express their views on the development within the limits of the law, as reactions to the decision were likely to differ.

He said Anwar and PH leaders from PKR, DAP and Amanah should provide a proper explanation rather than repeatedly saying the matter was beyond their control.

“This is not about politics, but a debt that Datuk Seri Anwar and PH owe to the people regarding 1MDB, especially the unnamed individuals who took great risks in carrying out their daily duties until the 1MDB issue became known to the public,” he said.

Rafizi said the 1MDB scandal had persuaded some Malaysians who had never previously voted for PH to support the coalition in the 2018 general election.

He said Anwar and PH leaders should therefore explain the house-arrest arrangement, particularly to Malaysians who were disappointed by the development.

“At the very least, Datuk Seri Anwar should announce the conditions of house arrest in detail, so that if there is an obvious violation, action can be taken,” he said.

Rafizi also urged Malaysians concerned about the 1MDB scandal to continue educating younger generations about what happened and the importance of strengthening integrity in public administration.

He said safeguarding public trust was an ongoing responsibility and that the lessons of the 1MDB scandal should not be forgotten.

To Najib, his family and supporters, Rafizi said they should understand that the 1MDB scandal had left deep wounds among many Malaysians.

“While I accept the decision that has been made with an open heart, it would be best for the house arrest process to proceed quietly so as not to invite various other reactions,” he said.

The statement followed the 64th meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya at Istana Negara today.

The Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim had consented to grant Najib a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of a RM50 million fine.

The Pardons Board is chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and considers matters relating to pardons for offences committed in the Federal Territories.

Najib must comply with the conditions attached to the conditional pardon. Any breach would result in the pardon being revoked and Najib returning to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

The specific conditions attached to the house-arrest arrangement have not been disclosed, Rafizi added. - September 18, 2026