In a plot twist fit for a legal drama, Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled today (December 22, 2025) that ex-premier Najib Razak can’t swap his prison bars for house arrest. ⚖️🚫
Najib, locked up since August 2022 over the multi-billion dollar 1MDB scandal, had argued that a royal order issued last year—purportedly part of a pardon from the then-king—should let him serve the rest of his sentence at home. But Judge Alice Loke found a procedural snag: the former king never got the nod from Malaysia’s Pardons Board before signing off on the house arrest move.
The court didn’t dispute the order’s existence, but without the board’s stamp of approval, it was a no-go. This verdict lands just days before Najib faces his biggest 1MDB trial yet, with a separate court set to deliver its ruling this Friday. Najib continues to deny all the charges against him. 🔒📅
For young news fans and curious minds, this case is a reminder of how every procedural step matters—even in high-stakes politics. Stay tuned for Friday’s judgment, and let us know what you think! 💬👀
Reference(s):
Malaysian ex-PM Najib loses bid to serve sentence under house arrest
cgtn.com
