The Najib Razak Solidarity Fund has taken RM9.25 million in the nine days since Umno opened it, leaving the party RM40.75 million short of the RM50 million tied to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s conditional pardon.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the tally was recorded as of 10am. “As of 10am, we have collected RM9.25 million. This is still short of the RM50 million figure,” he told reporters after opening the 18th Makkal Sakti Malaysia Party General Assembly at Dewan Tun Dr Ismail in World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said the party was still pushing to close the gap. “Efforts are ongoing to increase the funding, and we hope our friends will be able to help us reach the amount set by the Pardons Board,” he said. The collection covers 18.5 per cent of the target, leaving 81.5 per cent to be raised.
The money must be settled before the provision that lets Najib serve the rest of his sentence at home can be carried out in full, Zahid said. The Federal Territories Pardons Board granted the pardon at its 64th meeting for Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, held at Istana Negara, NST reported.
The order allows Najib to complete his term under house arrest until 23 August 2028, subject to payment of the RM50 million fine and compliance with every condition set. It warns that a breach could cancel the pardon and return him to prison for the balance of the sentence.
Malay Mail noted that the fund took RM165,645 in its first hour, RM634,562.02 after three hours and RM1 million by 9.30am the following day, citing Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. Umno launched the drive on 18 September, hours after the board announced its decision, to help the former premier settle the fine and ease his money worries.
Najib, 73, has been held at Kajang Prison since 23 August 2022, when the Federal Court upheld his conviction in the SRC International case. In February 2024 the Pardons Board cut his original 12-year prison term to six years and his RM210 million fine to RM50 million.
His lawyers say he remains in Kajang Prison until the fine is paid, and that a large share of his assets, bank accounts and properties stay under freezing orders and enforcement proceedings. Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said on 21 September that the family had yet to pay, while the Prisons Department said it was ready to carry out the Pardons Board decision once it receives the official notification and documents.
