What's happened
A Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that a royal order allowing Najib Razak to serve his prison sentence under house arrest was invalid. The court stated the former king did not follow constitutional procedures, and Najib's legal team plans to appeal. The ruling comes days before Najib's major 1MDB trial verdict.
What's behind the headline?
The court's ruling underscores the constitutional importance of proper procedures in royal pardons, especially in high-profile cases like Najib's. The invalidation of the royal order reveals tensions between the judiciary and the monarchy, highlighting potential political implications. The timing, just days before Najib's critical trial, suggests a strategic move to limit his legal options and influence public perception. This decision may also impact future royal pardon processes, emphasizing adherence to constitutional protocols. The case exemplifies how legal and political institutions intersect in Malaysia's ongoing fight against corruption, with Najib's supporters viewing the ruling as a setback and opponents seeing it as a reaffirmation of rule of law. The outcome of Najib's upcoming trial will likely shape the political landscape, especially given his continued influence within his party, UMNO.
What the papers say
The Japan Times reports that the court found the royal order invalid because it was not made in accordance with constitutional requirements, with Najib's lawyer planning to appeal. Al Jazeera highlights that the ruling is a blow to Najib, who faces a major trial related to the 1MDB scandal, with the court emphasizing the need for proper consultation with the Pardons Board. Reuters notes that the court's decision reflects the importance of procedural correctness in royal pardons, and that Najib's legal team intends to challenge the ruling. The Independent and AP News both detail Najib's history of conviction, the legal dispute over the royal order, and the broader political context, including the scandal's impact on Malaysia's political landscape. These sources collectively portray a complex legal battle intertwined with political tensions, with the judiciary asserting its authority amid ongoing high-stakes trials.
How we got here
Najib Razak, Malaysia's former prime minister, has been imprisoned since 2022 for his role in the 1MDB scandal, which involved the theft and laundering of billions from a state fund. Last year, a pardons board, chaired by the former king, halved his 12-year sentence and issued a royal order for house arrest. Najib claims the order was issued during a pardons meeting and seeks to enforce it, but government officials deny its validity. The court's decision reflects ongoing legal disputes over the legitimacy of the royal order amid Najib's upcoming trial on additional corruption charges.
Go deeper
Common question
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More on these topics
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Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak is a Malaysian politician who served as the 6th prime minister of Malaysia from April 2009 to May 2018. He is the son of another former prime minister, Abdul Razak Hussein.
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Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim is a Malaysian politician who has twice served as the 12th and 16th Leader of the Opposition since May 2020 and from August 2008 to March 2015.
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Kuala Lumpur, officially the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and colloquially referred to as KL, is a federal territory and the capital city of Malaysia.