18/09/2026
Press Statement
18 September 2026
The Corrupt Live in Luxury Homes, While Honest Malaysians Struggle to Get By
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) expresses deep disappointment concerning the pardon of former Prime Minister Najib Razak. In the latest development, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) and the Pardons Board have granted Najib Razak permission to serve the remainder of his sentence at home, on condition that he pays a fine of RM50 million and complies with other conditions that have not been disclosed. The RM50 million fine is itself a reduction from the original RM210 million.
This development undoubtedly comes as a devastating blow to the struggle for justice and to the Malaysian people's fight against corruption. For a long time, Malaysians have voiced their concerns over this issue of corruption, and even the YDPA himself has called on the government to combat corruption. By allowing Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his sentence at home, this will inevitably send a deeply confusing message to the public. On the one hand, we are fighting corruption and abuse of power; on the other, those implicated in and convicted of corruption and abuse of power can be released.
The 1MDB scandal is clear evidence of massive misconduct involving public funds and national interest. Billions in public funds have been lost and the country continues to bear a heavy debt burden as a result of this misconduct. This has become a dark chapter in our nation's history and the case has even attracted worldwide attention. More importantly, this concession has been granted without the public being informed, let alone consulted, on whether Malaysians agreed to his pardon and to his being placed under house arrest. This pardon has also been granted while Najib Razak is serving a 15-year prison sentence and an RM11.38 billion fine in the 1MDB case, which he is currently appealing at the Court of Appeal.
If Najib is pardoned today and granted the concession of serving his sentence under house arrest in his own home, which is undoubtedly more spacious and luxurious than the homes of ordinary Malaysians, will former prime ministers who are subsequently charged and convicted of corruption and abuse of power also be pardoned using the Najib case as a precedent? Who among those convicted of corruption will be released and pardoned next?
BERSIH, together with other civil society organisations, youth movements and student movements, will hold an emergency meeting soon to announce our next course of action. Actions taken by civil society and members of the public who disagree with the decision concerning Najib Razak should not be misconstrued as an attempt to disparage the YDPA's decision or as an act of disloyalty towards the YDPA. A decision made without clear explanation and acceptable conditions will make it difficult for Malaysians to accept that a corruptor can sleep soundly in the comfort of a luxurious home.
At a time when activists who fight and campaign against corruption have their bank accounts frozen and their movements restricted, those guilty of corruption and abuse of power are instead given discounts and pardons. There is only one word from the people: FIGHT!
Released by:
BERSIH Steering Committee