Home Alone? No, Najib Can Live With His Entire Family At Their Jalan Langgak Duta Bungalow

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.

Turns out, Najib will not be 'home alone'

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be allowed to live with his family while serving the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest at his Jalan Langgak Duta residence, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told Parliament today, 12 November.

This means his wife, children, children's spouses, and grandchildren can stay with him at their private bungalow without obtaining prior written permission from the Prisons Department.

The requirement for written permission applies to other individuals who wish to stay at the property, as well as visitors.

Saifuddin clarified this during a briefing in the Dewan Rakyat, addressing several questions surrounding the conditions imposed on Najib following his return home from Kajang Prison.

This clarification contradicts claims made earlier by Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid, the daughter of Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who said Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and children would not be allowed to live with him because the residence had been "gazetted as a prison".

However, while his family can live with him, Najib remains subject to restrictions on communication, visitors, political activities, and movement outside the property.

Here are the latest details about his house arrest arrangement following the minister's parliamentary briefing.

He can only use phones registered with the Prisons Department

Although Najib can live with his family, his access to communication devices remains restricted. Saifuddin said the former prime minister is not permitted to use phones or other telecommunication devices unless they are registered with the Prisons Department.

These registered devices are intended for periodic reporting to his appointed house arrest officer and for prison authorities to contact him to verify that he is at home.

"(Regarding) restrictions on phone usage – (he) is not permitted to use telephones and telecommunication devices other than those registered by the Prisons Department, (which are) for the purpose of verifying when (Najib) is at home, (and) to be contacted by the prison authorities (to confirm) he is at the residence," he said.

However, the arrangement raises questions about how effectively the restriction can be enforced when Najib's family members are also allowed to live with him.

He cannot appear on social media or initiate media coverage

Saifuddin also reiterated that Najib is prohibited from initiating or participating in media coverage, including appearing on social media. The former prime minister is also barred from issuing press statements, organising events, or participating in political activities.

However, questions remain over whether the restrictions also cover messages conveyed through other people.

For instance, Najib's daughter, Nooryana Najwa, spoke about her father's political sentiments while campaigning for Barisan Nasional (BN) during the Melaka state election campaign on 11 November.

According to Berita Harian Online, she said Najib hoped BN would win and continued to care deeply about the party.

"He understands the sacrifices in politics and constantly advises me and my older brothers to go to the ground to help the people.

"There is no specific message, but he wants to convey to the people of Melaka that BN is the best party to guarantee the future of the youth," she was quoted as saying.

It remains unclear whether such messages conveyed through family members or other third parties would fall under the restrictions on Najib's political activities and public statements.

He cannot leave his house, but will be escorted for Friday prayers

Najib is required to remain within his Jalan Langgak Duta residence, which includes a building and compound spanning nearly 50,000 square feet. He cannot leave the property without obtaining permission from the relevant authorities.

However, Saifuddin disclosed that Najib would be escorted by the Prisons Department to attend Friday prayers. The minister did not specify which mosque or location Najib would be taken to.

During his previous imprisonment, Najib was also transported from the courthouse in Putrajaya back to Kajang Prison to perform Friday prayers while attending his 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial.

Najib wanted to serve house arrest at another residence

Another revelation from Saifuddin's parliamentary briefing was that Najib had applied to use a second residential property as an alternative location for his house arrest. However, the minister said the application was rejected.

Saifuddin did not disclose the location of the proposed second residence or explain why the application was turned down. Najib will therefore continue serving his sentence at his Jalan Langgak Duta residence under the current arrangement.

Saifuddin stressed that Najib must comply with all the conditions imposed throughout his house arrest

Any breach of the requirements would result in him being sent back to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Najib began serving the remainder of his six-year sentence in the SRC International case under house arrest on 10 November, following the payment of the RM50 million fine required under his conditional pardon. His house arrest is scheduled to continue until 23 August 2028.

However, he faces another 15 years in prison after that if his appeal against his conviction in the separate 1MDB case is unsuccessful.

Najib was found guilty of 25 charges involving corruption and abuse of power linked to RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds. He is currently appealing against the conviction and sentence.