# Malaysian political tension over Najib Razak pardon

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/malaysian-political-tension-over-najib-razak-pardon
> Updated: 2026-09-20T23:08:44.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 3.

Malaysia’s Transport Minister and Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary-general, Anthony Loke, has offered to resign from his cabinet post. The offer serves as a protest against the Federal Territories Pardons Board’s decision to grant a conditional pardon to former Prime Minister Najib Razak. Under the pardon terms, Najib will serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, upon payment of a reduced RM50 million fine.

Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar has confirmed that the fine has not yet been paid. Najib’s legal counsel, Messrs Shafee & Co., noted that the payment process may be complicated by the fact that a substantial portion of his assets and bank accounts are currently frozen by the government. Consequently, Najib is expected to remain in Kajang Prison until the financial conditions are met. While the Royal Malaysian Police have not received official confirmation regarding the logistics of a transfer to his residence in Langgak Duta, security preparations are reportedly underway, with supervision to be managed by the Malaysian Prison Department.

Loke clarified that his resignation is a personal stance and does not apply to other DAP members in the unity government, aiming to maintain political stability. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has indicated he has not yet decided on a potential Cabinet reshuffle and intends to meet with Loke to discuss his position once the minister returns from discussions in Shanghai. Anwar noted that Loke is a “man of principle” who has consistently opposed policies suggesting leniency toward corruption.

## Claims

- The Royal Malaysian Police have not yet received official confirmation regarding the implementation of Najib Razak's house arrest. (disputed by 2 sources)
- A mobile police station was stationed near Najib's residence in Langgak Duta as a security precaution. (disputed by 2 sources)
- Supervision of house arrest falls under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian Prison Department rather than the police. (disputed)
- The house arrest is subject to the payment of a RM50 million fine. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong granted Najib Razak a conditional pardon. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Najib Razak may serve the remainder of his sentence through house arrest until 23 August 2028. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The Federal Territories Pardons Board decided on the conditional pardon during its 64th meeting. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Malaysian Prison Department is awaiting official written notification before implementing the house arrest decision. (single source)
- The RM50 million fine required for house arrest has not yet been paid. (single source)
- A substantial portion of Najib's assets and bank accounts are currently frozen by the government. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-20: Najib Razak granted conditional pardon for house arrest

Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak has been granted a conditional pardon to serve his sentence via house arrest until 2028, pending a RM50 million fine payment. The decision led to Minister Anthony Loke's protest.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/loke-siew-fook-resigns-as-malaysia-transport-minister

### 2026-09-20: Anwar Ibrahim considers Cabinet reshuffle after Anthony Loke's resignation offer

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is considering a Cabinet reshuffle after Transport Minister Anthony Loke offered his resignation following the conditional pardon of former PM Najib Razak.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anwar-ibrahim-considers-cabinet-reshuffle-after-anthony-lokes-resignation-offer

### 2026-09-18: Anthony Loke offers to resign as Malaysia's Transport Minister

Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke has offered to resign in protest after former PM Najib Razak was granted a conditional pardon to serve his sentence under house arrest.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dap-holds-emergency-meeting-following-najib-razaks-conditional-pardon

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Cite as: Malaysian political tension over Najib Razak pardon. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/malaysian-political-tension-over-najib-razak-pardon