A Malaysian court dismissed former Prime Minister Najib Razak's request to serve his prison sentence under house arrest on December 22, 2025, dealing another blow to the ex-leader embroiled in the multi-billion dollar 1MDB scandal. The High Court ruled that a purported royal order allowing the move was invalid due to procedural irregularities, requiring consultation with Malaysia's pardons board.
Najib, imprisoned since August 2022 for his role in siphoning funds from the state investment fund, had claimed the order was issued by the former king in 2024. The decision comes days before a separate court delivers its verdict on Friday in Najib's largest ongoing 1MDB trial, where he maintains his innocence.
Analysts suggest the ruling reinforces judicial independence in Malaysia while highlighting lingering political tensions tied to the 1MDB case, which exposed global financial system vulnerabilities and reshaped Southeast Asia's economic governance landscape.
