Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Aslam Zainuddin cleared the way Tuesday for jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak to be transferred to house arrest. The court order came after Malaysia's attorney general postponed his release Friday, raising questions over how a royal pardon should be interpreted.
Najib, 73, was convicted for his role in the theft of funds from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a now-defunct sovereign wealth fund. He was granted a conditional pardon in September and his political party paid a $12 million fine Friday as part of the pardon terms. Judge Zainuddin said Najib "shall serve the remainder of the reduced sentence of six years' imprisonment under house arrest."
King Sultan Ibrahim has warned that any challenge to his pardon order could amount to defiance against his decree. The king holds a largely ceremonial role but has authority to grant pardons under Malaysia's Constitution.
Al Jazeera's Rob McBride reported the dispute "has caused all manner of political and constitutional controversy in Malaysia" and underlines "the complicated, delicate relationship between the monarchy, the courts and the government."
Najib faces an additional 15 years in prison from another 1MDB-linked conviction. That sentence is set to begin after his house arrest period ends. Najib has appealed that case and his lawyers requested the jail term and fines be halted, citing his poor health and inability to pay the fine.