Anwar: UMNO’s decision to pay Najib’s RM50m fine its prerogative

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said UMNO was entitled to decide whether to pay former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s RM50 million fine, although he personally disagreed with the move.

He said maintaining ties with Najib should not give the impression that large-scale corruption could be overlooked.

“UMNO’s decision to pay the fine is its business.

“Personally, I disagree. While we maintain a spirit of friendship with Datuk Seri Najib, that should not give the public the impression that corruption involving up to RM1 billion can be allowed,” he said.

Anwar was responding after UMNO confirmed it had settled the fine at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today, following a fundraising campaign launched to help Najib meet the payment.

UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party’s Najib Razak Solidarity Fund had collected sufficient contributions to meet its target, allowing the payment process to be completed.

The fund was launched on Sept 18, with Asyraf thanking UMNO members nationwide and members of the public for their contributions.

He did not disclose the total amount raised but said the special donation account would be closed as its purpose had been fulfilled.

Najib’s special officer Ahmad Lutfi Azhar and lawyer Muhammad Farhan Shafee arrived at the court at about 12.10 pm to attend to the payment.

Farhan was seen carrying a locked black bag as they entered the Criminal Registry Office.

Najib is serving a prison sentence following his conviction on seven charges involving the misappropriation of RM42 million belonging to SRC International.

In 2024, the Pardons Board reduced his 12-year jail term to six years and his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.

The King, Sultan Ibrahim, subsequently granted Najib a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.

The arrangement is subject to payment of the RM50 million fine and compliance with other stipulated conditions.

Failure to fulfil them could result in the conditional pardon being revoked, requiring Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence in prison. – November 6, 2026