Prison Dept refutes rumours of VIP cell for Najib

The Prison Department today denied allegations that newly incarcerated Najib Abdul Razak will receive special treatment in prison.

This comes after a photo went viral, claiming the former prime minister was occupying a VIP room equipped with various facilities in the Kajang Prison.

In a Facebook post, the Prison Department asked the public to stop spreading fake information.

Accompanied in the post was a screenshot of a spacious room equipped with shelves and tables, with the title ‘Prison for VIP’.

The department confirmed with Free Malaysia Today that no special treatment will be given to Najib and maintained that all prisoners will be treated the same.

Meanwhile, Utusan Malaysia reported that the former finance minister will only be temporarily housed in the Kajang Prison, before being transferred to Sungai Buloh prison to serve the rest of his sentence. Both prisons are in Selangor.

Citing an unknown source, it was revealed that Najib was only placed in the Kajang prison for registration and administrative purposes.

However, the source said the length of Najib’s stay would be dependent on the circumstances.

“It is understood that he (Najib) has been temporarily placed in Kajang Prison for a health screening test and other procedures,” the source told Utusan Malaysia.

Subject to rules, procedures

Another source confirmed with the news portal that no special treatment was given to the former premier and he would be subjected to prison laws and regulations.

“The actions and processes taken by the Prison Department are based on the provisions of the act, rules, and prison procedures that are used to manage all prisoners,” the source said.

When asked to explain further, the source said warrants will be issued by the court on whether the accused should serve their sentence.

“The prison then has to accept those named in the warrant to serve their sentence, based on the decision by the court.

“Following that, the Prison Department will make an assessment. If necessary, the director-general of prisons has the authority to transfer any prisoner to a prison that is better suited for them,” the source was quoted as saying.

The source added that the prison will consider cell isolation for any high-profile inmates, for safety purposes.

The Federal Court yesterday dismissed Najib’s appeal to quash his conviction and sentence of 12 years in jail and a RM210 million fine in default of another five years imprisonment.

The unanimous dismissal was by a five-person bench chaired by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.

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