Malaysian court turns down former PM's appeal for house arrest

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (1st L) is seen in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec. 22, 2025. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak failed in his appeal to be moved to house arrest after the High Court here ruled against his application on Monday. (Bernama via Xinhua)

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak failed in his appeal to be moved to house arrest after the High Court here ruled against his application on Monday.

High Court judge Alice Loke Yee Ching ruled that the additional materials submitted by Najib in support of his appeal were invalid.

The 72-year-old former leader will have to continue serving the rest of his six-year jail term at Kajang Prison.

Najib was sentenced in July 2020 to 12 years in jail and fined 210 million ringgit for abuse of power related to SRC International, a former unit of state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Najib was later granted a reduced sentence and fine. ■