KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28, 2025 – Malaysian political figures have emphasised restraint and sympathy following recent court rulings against former Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, including the rejection of his bid for house arrest and his conviction in the major 1MDB corruption trial.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim issued a veiled rebuke to those celebrating the High Court’s decision rejecting Najib’s application to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. While respecting the ruling, Anwar stated that “those who did not have sympathy for the convicted former premier and his family should not make things worse and heighten tensions.” He urged all parties to handle the matter with patience and wisdom, avoiding actions that could exacerbate sensitivities.
This marks a shift from Anwar’s stance in 2022, when, upon the Federal Court upholding Najib’s conviction in the SRC International case, he welcomed the decision as “a victory for the rakyat.”
jail sentence
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, responding to the High Court’s Dec 26 judgment convicting Najib on four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering in the 1MDB case – resulting in a 15-year concurrent sentence and massive fine – described the outcome as fulfilling institutional duty rather than a cause for joy.
“The court judgment on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case is not a moment for celebration or pride but instead reflects the fulfilment of trust and the responsibility of enforcement institutions toward the nation,” Azam said. He praised the tireless work of investigation and prosecution teams since 2015, adding: “There is no reason to ‘celebrate’ or ‘rub salt into the wound’ over this judgement.”
Former DAP MP Ong Kian Ming echoed similar sentiments regarding the house arrest ruling, noting: “There is no reason to ‘celebrate’ or ‘rub salt into the wound’ over this judgement. Najib has already served more than three years of his jail sentence, which started on the 23rd of August 2022.”
These calls for empathy come amid coalition tensions, with some viewing celebratory remarks as insensitive given Najib’s ongoing imprisonment and family circumstances.
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