Source : Istana Negara statement, via media reports (AI-generated illustration)
KUALA LUMPUR, November 7, 2026 — Istana Negara has said that the conditional pardon allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest is clear and unambiguous, and that any argument disputing the order tends towards defying the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The statement, issued in the name of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and dated November 7, 2026, was reported by The Star, Malay Mail, Free Malaysia Today, Utusan Malaysia and Astro Awani. Astro Awani reported that it was shared on Sultan Ibrahim’s social media account.
According to the statement, the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya examined Najib’s petition under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution on September 18, 2026.
The statement said the meeting was attended by the Federal Territories Minister and the Attorney General, and gave appropriate advice to Sultan Ibrahim. His Majesty then ordered that Najib serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest, subject to the condition that the RM50 million fine was paid.
The palace said the conditional pardon order was clear, explicit and without any ambiguity, and was not linked to any other case against Najib.
It added that there should be no confusion over its interpretation and no prolonged uncertainty over the implementation of a decision that had received royal consent.
The statement stressed that the power of pardon is a royal prerogative provided under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, and that its exercise must be respected in line with the position of the constitutional monarchy and the principle of the rule of law.
It said that since all conditions in the conditional pardon order have been fulfilled, any argument disputing the order tends towards defying the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
AGC deferral
The palace statement follows a move by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) on November 6, 2026, calling for the implementation of Najib’s house arrest to be temporarily deferred pending clarification of legal questions surrounding the pardon order, Malay Mail and Free Malaysia Today reported.
Umno paid Najib’s RM50 million fine on November 6, after which the Kuala Lumpur High Court issued an order, according to the same reports. BFM News reported later that day that Najib had returned to Kajang Prison after undergoing medical and dental checks at Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
Bernama reported on September 18 that the conditional pardon allowed Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to the stipulated conditions.
Source: Istana Negara statement (November 7, 2026), as reported by The Star, Malay Mail, Free Malaysia Today, Utusan Malaysia and Astro Awani; additional context from BFM News and Bernama
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