From Brunei to Italy, Najib's RM50m fine draws donors from far and wide, says Rosmah

Najib Abdul Razak’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, expressed gratitude to those who have contributed to a donation drive for the former prime minister’s RM50 million fine, with funds coming from foreign friends.

In a Facebook post last night, Rosmah affirmed that those who have supported the fundraising initiative “only want to see Datuk (Najib) back home with his family”.

“I am deeply moved. Not only by the contributions from friends here, but also from friends abroad - from Brunei, Italy, Singapore, and other countries, including as far as Canada.

“I never expected so many would still care and be willing to come forward to help with complete sincerity. Today, I realise who the friends are that stay with us through thick and thin,” she added.

Rosmah also noted that several donors had contacted her personally to state their joy over the latest development in Najib’s pardon application.

In a separate Instagram post, Najib’s daughter, Nooryana Najwa, said that when the family visited Najib on Sept 19, he repeatedly conveyed how touched he was to see the public willing to contribute to his “solidarity fund”.

“Daddy really did not expect so many would be willing to contribute. I would never force it on anyone,” Nooryana quoted Najib as saying.

The former premier was granted a conditional pardon on Sept 18, with the Federal Territories Pardons Board, chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, determining that he will have to pay an RM50 million fine before he is allowed to serve his remaining sentence under house arrest.

Donation drive

Following the decision, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the party’s launch of a donation drive to “help ease” Najib’s burden in paying the fine imposed on him.

READ MORE: Najib gets house arrest - but how he'll be tracked remains unclear

The following day, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his ministry and the Prison Department are still waiting for the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department's official written notification on Najib's conditional pardon.

Yesterday, Najib’s lawyer, Shafee Abdullah, said Najib’s ability to pay the fine depends on matters outside his control, citing the freezing orders and government enforcement proceedings against a “significant part” of Najib’s assets, bank accounts, and properties.

While Najib and his legal team are studying the terms of the conditional pardon and their practical implications, Shafee said the former Umno leader “does not wish the party, its members and supporters, or the public to feel burdened or obliged on his account”.

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