Malaysia's Prime Minister Stays Silent on Najib's House Arrest

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has remained tight-lipped regarding the existence of a controversial royal decree that could permit former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve the rest of his prison sentence at home. Najib, who was convicted for his involvement in the 1MDB scandal, had his original 12-year sentence halved by a pardons board shortly before the end of the former king's reign. Anwar emphasized that he cannot comment on the issue as it is sub judice, pending a court hearing set for January 6, 2025. Speculation continues over whether such a decree exists, with critics decrying the potential for elite impunity amid dissatisfaction with the government's slow reforms and rising living costs. The current king, Sultan Ibrahim, is expected to deliberate on the matter in a future pardons board meeting. Meanwhile, Najib's family and supporters maintain that the alleged decree entitles him to house arrest, a claim that has sparked public outrage.