Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has moved to challenge yet another court ruling as his legal team files an appeal following the High Court’s decision to dismiss his judicial review application over the alleged “Adendum Decree,” which he claimed permitted him to serve his remaining sentence under house arrest.
His counsel, Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee, confirmed that the appeal notice was lodged at the Court of Appeal on December 24. He added that Najib’s defence team is also preparing to file an appeal for his latest 1MDB conviction once the official written court order is received.
On December 22, Justice Datuk Alice Loke Yee Ching ruled against Najib’s judicial review bid, stating that there was no indication the alleged decree was ever discussed or formally decided during the Pardons Board meeting in January 2024. With the ruling, Najib is required to continue serving his term in Kajang Prison.
Najib has been behind bars since August 2022 following the Federal Court’s decision to uphold his conviction and sentence for misappropriating SRC International funds. His initial 12-year prison sentence and RM210 million fine were later reduced to six years and RM50 million through the royal pardon process.
His legal challenges, however, did not end there. On December 26, the High Court delivered another major ruling, sentencing him to 15 years in prison and imposing RM11.4 billion in fines after finding him guilty on 25 charges linked to RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds. The sentence will commence after he completes his SRC International imprisonment, currently set to end in August 2028.
Najib’s latest appeal represents a continuing effort to contest judicial findings against him. The progression of his appeal cases will be closely monitored, as they carry major implications for his legal standing and potential changes to his detention status.
