'Payment completed': UMNO settles Najib's $15.8m fine, paving way for house arrest

KUALA LUMPUR — UMNO has completed all payment processes to the Kuala Lumpur High Court for the RM50 million (S$15.8 million) fine imposed on former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the party announced today.

UMNO secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said that the Najib Razak Solidarity Fund launched on Sept 18 had reached its collection target and was sufficient, according to the statement shared on his Facebook page.

“UMNO has completed all payment processes to the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning,” he said.

He also announced that the party had officially closed the special account established for public donations.

“UMNO hereby officially closes the special Najib Razak Solidarity Fund account and no longer needs crowdfunding for this purpose,” he said.

Asyraf Wajdi expressed the party’s gratitude to Allah and thanked Umno members nationwide and the public who had contributed since the fund’s launch.

The statement did not disclose the total amount collected. 

Najib, 73, has been at Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022, after the Federal Court upheld his conviction over the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.

His original sentence was 12 years’ jail and a RM210 million fine, which the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced in January 2024 to six years and RM50 million. 

Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, granted Najib a conditional pardon on Sept 18, permitting him to serve the rest of his term under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, provided the fine and other conditions are met.

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