Govt risks erosion of public trust by shrouding Najib's house arrest in secrecy, say critics

Ayesha Sheik MazrulPublished: Oct 16, 2026 2:33 PM

Concealing details of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s house arrest will further erode public confidence in the justice system, former PKR lawmaker Wong Chen warns.

Wong argued that as taxpayers, Malaysians were entitled to know how public funds would be used to monitor Najib during his house arrest.

This includes...

Concealing details of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s house arrest will further erode public confidence in the justice system, former PKR lawmaker Wong Chen warns.

Wong argued that as taxpayers, Malaysians were entitled to know how public funds would be used to monitor Najib during his house arrest.

This includes whether the former premier would receive special privileges while serving the remainder of his detention house-bound.

“The public are victims of the 1MDB scandal, and as such we have the right to know if Najib will be living in luxury with multiple helpers, and will he be given unlimited visitation rights.

“They should just come fully transparent and publish the details and release it to the mass media. This is not a matter of official secrets which requires limited Parliamentary scrutiny,” the ex-MP told Malaysiakini.

Wong Chen during the 'Tangkap Mafia Korporat' rally in front of Sogo, Kuala Lumpur 270926

Halved sentence, then home detention

Najib is serving his prison sentence for seven criminal offences linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd and is expected to be released on Aug 23, 2028.

He was initially sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million in 2020. However, the Federal Territories Pardons Board halved his jail term to six years and reduced his fine to RM50 million in 2024.

On Sept 18 this year, the Federal Territories Pardons Board, chaired by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, allowed Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, subject to payment of the RM50 million fine.

However, earlier this week, Najib’s lawyer Shafee Abdullah said his client had received the conditions governing his house arrest but was instructed by the Prisons Department not to disclose them publicly.

Shafee told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex that the department was concerned that making the details public would prompt media and public speculation and debate.

'House arrest is not holiday'

Meanwhile, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng today slammed the Prisons Department’s decision, stressing that the public has a right to know how Najib’s home detention will be carried out.

Lim said withholding the details would only fuel speculation over the privileges and restrictions Najib would face under house arrest.

DAP Lawmaker Lim Lip Eng circa 2025 181225

“Who is permitted to visit him? Is he allowed to use a telephone, the internet, and social media? What about television, entertainment, and the freedom to receive guests? Is he required to wear an electronic monitoring device, or is he under constant surveillance via CCTV?” Lim asked in a statement.

Lim said the case was a matter of public interest and could set a precedent for future house arrest arrangements, adding that Malaysians were entitled to know how prison sentences were enforced outside prison.

The DAP lawmaker urged the Prisons Department to disclose the basic conditions, while keeping sensitive security information confidential.

“House arrest is not a holiday in a luxury bungalow. If everything is being done according to the rules, why be afraid to let the public know?” he added.

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I especially like the comments in the last paragraph. It quoted the Kepong MP as saying, "House arrest is not a holiday in a luxury bungalow. If everything is being done according to the rules, why be afraid to let the public know ? " Based on the fact that they are afraid to let the public know, Malaysians can therefore safely deduce that everything is not being done according to the rules ! But, are there any rules to begin with ?

Bluemountains03:46 PM, 16 Oct 2026

Pms and Home Minister shall remain quiet and dare not answer the Rakyat via their elected MP’ concerned. Rakyat will respond accordingly in GE16 starting with Melaka to appoint a truly transparent government to fight for justice

GrayParrot929003:38 PM, 16 Oct 2026

Will the "House Arrest" be something of a confinement in luxury, staycation or a holiday in nature? Yes to all of the above? People are asking, steal our money big time and we have to pay out of taxpayers pockets for his comfort and while he shows zero remorse and guilt. Is this called JUSTICE?

TIDY03:26 PM, 16 Oct 2026

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Bluemountains03:46 PM, 16 Oct 2026

GrayParrot929003:38 PM, 16 Oct 2026

TIDY03:26 PM, 16 Oct 2026

We can shout and protest over Najib's House Arrest, but he has his way because he is Najib, and UMNO backs him. It was a done deal even though he was criminally convicted of stealing from the people. Worst for the people, we in turn have to pay for his crime. Now tell me, where is justice in this country?

WhiteMoose003703:17 PM, 16 Oct 2026

Yes, the public and taxpayers absolutely have a right to know the full terms and legal basis of any house arrest arrangement for Najib. Malaysia does not even have a specific Act or clear statutory framework governing house arrest yet. The Cabinet’s “in-principle” approval for a House Arrest Act – supposedly to deal with prison overcrowding for remand detainees – has not been translated into law by Parliament. So on what transparent, objective framework is this proposed house arrest being negotiated? If we are effectively creating a special regime through executive discretion for a former PM convicted of abuse of power and criminal breach of trust, that goes straight to the heart of equality before the law. On top of that, the RM50 million fine is a key condition for commuting the remainder of the SRC sentence to house arrest. There are already rumours that this amount has been settled and that this is why things are being rushed, while at the same time we are told Najib has not paid. The government should immediately and clearly disclose: has the RM50 million been paid or not, and what exactly are the conditions being considered? Secrecy around an ad hoc “house arrest deal”, in the absence of a proper legal framework and with contradictory signals about the fine, only reinforces the perception that there is one system of justice for the powerful and another for everyone else. If the government is serious about the rule of law, it should legislate transparently first, and then apply the law equally – not negotiate special arrangements behind closed doors.

EmEmKay03:14 PM, 16 Oct 2026

All conditions brought about are absolutely relevant. More so when we taxpayer are footing the expenses incurred n the outstanding debt we have to bear n maybe stretch to our next generation.

Fools seldom differ03:09 PM, 16 Oct 2026

For every step forward, they move 2 steps backwards.

GreenJaguar478503:09 PM, 16 Oct 2026

Najib's ability to continue to squirm around and gets pardoned though he has not admitted guilt himself is only the symptom of bigger root causes. Over decades, the gatekeeping institutions became accommodating in the strata of power. The law remains intact and is functioning; somewhere along the value chain, the administration is shaky and others, broken. Anwar promised to reform these institutions with his fiery speeches and table thumping that drew the common man towards his ideas of fair future for all. Today he seems to have inherited the same broken system as conveniences. Four years on, Reformasi resembles day-old tiger beer; label garang but the fizz is gone. Malaysia's greatest political failure is that those who fight the system eventually find it too useful to change.

OceanMasterII03:07 PM, 16 Oct 2026

If some of the restrictions cannot be applied, it would mean no restriction is applied. Literally a free man staying in his huge mansion. It may include his great big garden. This makes the super rich who appropriated public money are certainly above common law.

Autogenerated!!03:05 PM, 16 Oct 2026

Nothing to hide means nothing to hide! Open tobpunlic. Open to public. Open to public

ScarletPanda973102:53 PM, 16 Oct 2026

Such naïve comments. What does anyone believe House arrest in a Mansion fit for a PM will be like? Sleep in the guardhouse and use the outside toilet and eat the food brought from home in a paper bag? As to stemming that debate and speculation will take place among the citizens, that happens millions of times DAILY on a million different subjects. Its a feature of being Human. Oh, Prison Dept didnt know this about citizens being Humans and not automatons on a puppet string?

GreenFalcon229002:47 PM, 16 Oct 2026

Why are we playing games? For decades we have been witnessing the flourishing of corruption and how the elites and the corrupt are protected. The government including the institution involved in pardoning a criminal have brought this upon themselves. It will take a miracle for them to regain the trust of the public whom they have manipulated and taken for granted. The time will come when it reaches boiling point and then it will be too late. It never pays to live a dishonest life at the expense of others!

LimeMarlin626202:45 PM, 16 Oct 2026

When bersama wins, ensure zero tolerance for corruption and bring all crooks and thieves to face justice.

Lionking02:40 PM, 16 Oct 2026

It’s an ideal scenario that many of us want – zero tolerance for corruption and every crook facing justice – but we also have to be realistic about the power structures in this country. The “deep state” – entrenched interests in the bureaucracy, political elites, institutions and business networks – will move heaven and earth to make sure a reformist bloc like Bersama never truly governs without being caged in. We already saw a version of this with DAP and PMX: before GE15 both talked loudly about systemic reform, anti‑corruption and equal treatment under the law, but once in power many key promises stalled or were watered down because of backroom deals, palace dynamics, coalition fragility and resistance from the old guard. So yes, aim for a Bersama victory – but unless those entrenched structures are confronted and dismantled, any new government will be forced into compromises that keep the same people and the same culture of impunity in place.

EmEmKay03:21 PM, 16 Oct 2026