Key facts
- Lawyers for Najib Razak dismissed speculation about his imminent transfer to house arrest, Reuters reported.
- Umno, Najib's former ruling party, was struggling to raise the 50 million ringgit (US$12.3 million) fine, per the report.
- Analysts cited in the report said Najib's return to house arrest could boost Umno among supporters before the next general election.
Lawyers for Najib Razak, Malaysia's jailed former prime minister, on Wednesday dismissed speculation that he was about to be transferred to house arrest, according to a Reuters report published on November 4, 2026.
The report said Najib's United Malays National Organisation (Umno) was struggling to raise the 50 million ringgit (US$12.3 million) fine needed to bring him home. It did not say who imposed the fine or set out the terms under which payment would secure his release.
The speculation came as Umno sought to build on recent electoral victories. Analysts cited in the report said Najib's return to house arrest could give the party a boost among supporters ahead of the next general election. The report did not name the analysts or give a date for that election.