[UPDATED] Back in the hole: doctors clear Najib for return to Kajang Prison

KUALA LUMPUR – Medical officers from Kuala Lumpur Hospital and Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital (CRH) have given their clearance for Datuk Seri Najib Razak to be returned to Kajang Prison.

In a statement issued by CRH today, the latest medical checks found that the former prime minister was in good condition.

Najib has also been instructed by a physiotherapist to carry out exercises by himself.

CRH said a conference was held between the doctors and Najib’s closest family members where they were informed of his health and monitoring plan.

Two days ago, the Prison Department said Najib was transferred to CRH for further treatment and observation.

In a statement, the department had said the Pekan MP was referred to CRH on Monday (September 19), following the advice of HKL, and that he would only return to Kajang Prison to continue serving his 12-year sentence once he gets medical clearance.

Najib had been hospitalised in HKL from September 12 after he complained of pain due to high blood pressure as a result of a change of medication, forcing his high court trial on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd corruption case to be adjourned and vacated until next week.

He began his prison sentence on August 23 after the Federal Court upheld the high court’s guilty verdict in his SRC International Sdn Bhd case. 

According to the Prison Department, it had allowed Najib to seek treatment at HKL in line with the Prison Act as well as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules).

The department’s statement today comes amid allegations spreading online that Najib – who has been referred to as a “merpati” (pigeon) – has been granted liberal access to the outside world.

The message, which has been making the rounds, had alleged that Najib would be moved to CRH to allow him better access to visitors, especially family and friends – and that the former prime minister would also supposedly spend most of his 12-year sentence at the hospital. – The Vibes, September 23, 2022