FORMER New Straits Times Press (NSTP) Group Editor-in-Chief A Kadir Jasin has called on authorities to investigate the source of the RM50 million used to pay Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s fine.
He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), police, Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) should establish the money trail, regardless of whether the payment was made by UMNO or another party.
In a social media post, Kadir questioned whether businessmen who secured lucrative government contracts and concessions during Najib’s administration could have contributed to the payment.
He cited several major projects undertaken during Najib’s time as prime minister, including Bandar Malaysia, MRT, LRT, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) and Merdeka 118.
He also pointed to the Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) and Multi-Product Pipeline (MPP), which he said were only 13% complete despite 88% of their contract value having been paid.
“Some of the businessmen who benefited from these projects may feel indebted to Najib.
“Even if some of these projects were carried out successfully, the possibility of corruption cannot simply be ruled out,” he said.
Najib is currently serving a six-year prison sentence at Kajang Prison following his conviction on seven charges involving funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
His original 12-year jail term and RM210 million fine were reduced to six years and RM50 million respectively following a royal pardon.
He was also convicted on 25 charges in the separate 1MDB-Tanore case, comprising four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined RM11.4 billion, although the sentence has yet to take effect pending the appeal process.
On Nov 6, Najib was taken from Kajang Prison to his residence in Jalan Langgak Duta, Kuala Lumpur, after the RM50 million fine was paid.
The payment was among the conditions cited in connection with his bid to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
However, he was later returned to prison following a dispute over the interpretation and contents of a court-issued notice of discharge.
Kadir is not the first to call for an investigation into the payment.
Former Damansara MP Tony Pua had also urged BNM and MACC to examine and audit the RM50 million, saying its source must be legitimate and not linked to money laundering.
Pua also criticised Umno for prioritising efforts to secure house arrest for Najib rather than directing its resources towards helping ordinary Malaysians. – November 9, 2026
