Zahid says Najib solidarity fund hits RM9.25m — still RM40.75m short of target

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — The Najib Razak Solidarity Fund has reached RM9.25 million nine days after its launch, but Umno is still short of the RM50 million needed to help the former prime minister meet the fine attached to his conditional pardon for house arrest.

Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the latest amount was recorded as of 10am Saturday, leaving the fund RM40.75 million short of its target, The Star reported today.

“As of 10am, we have collected RM9.25 million so far.

“This is still insufficient to reach the RM50 million target. Efforts are ongoing to increase the crowdfunding, and we hope our friends will be able to assist us in the near future to reach the amount set by the Pardons Board.

“The amount must be settled before the house arrest can be fully implemented,” he was quoted telling reporters after officiating at the 18th Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party General Assembly here yesterday.

The fund was launched by Umno on September 18, hours after the Federal Territories Pardons Board announced that Najib had received a conditional royal pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028.

The conditional pardon requires Najib to pay a RM50 million fine and comply with the other conditions imposed, with the pardon subject to revocation if those conditions are breached.

The fund reached RM165,645 within its first hour, RM634,562.02 after three hours and RM1 million by 9.30am the following day, according to Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Najib’s lawyers have said he remains in Kajang Prison until the RM50 million fine is paid, while noting that a significant portion of his assets, bank accounts and properties remain subject to freezing orders and enforcement proceedings.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said on September 21 that Najib’s family had yet to pay the fine, while the Prisons Department has said it is ready to implement the Pardons Board’s decision once it receives the necessary official notification and documents.