Police and Prisons Department Assess Security at Najib Razak’s Residence Ahead of House Arrest

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 – The Royal Malaysia Police and the Prisons Department held a joint coordination meeting to conduct a security assessment at the residence of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in preparation for his transition to house arrest.

Sentul district police chief ACP Anuar Bakri Abdul Salam confirmed that officials met at Najib’s residence to evaluate the area, though he emphasized that the exact location for the house arrest has not yet been finalized as authorities await the formal order document.

“It has not been finalised because we have not yet received the order. It will be finalised once the order is obtained, and there will be specific conditions attached,” Anuar Bakri told reporters gathered outside the residence.

Arriving at the site around 2:30 PM, Anuar Bakri explained that police personnel were assessing peripheral security conditions around the residential zone, whereas the Prisons Department focused on procedural matters surrounding detention oversight.

“There are no specific details yet, one of the matters discussed was an assessment of Najib’s residence. The Prisons Department requested the police to join them to look at the situation from our perspective—specifically regarding security,” he added.

Addressing speculation regarding physical security measures, Anuar Bakri refuted claims that specialized security structures, such as barbed wire or iron fencing, would be constructed at the premises.

The joint site assessment follows an announcement that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, granted Najib a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, provided he settles a RM50 million fine.

According to the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, the conditional pardon decision was finalized during the 64th meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya at Istana Negara.

Najib, 73, has been incarcerated at Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022, following his conviction over the misappropriation of RM42 million in funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd.

–NMT