Najib’s immediate family can stay with him during house arrest, Parliament told

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — Only immediate family members are permitted to reside in the same house as Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak under strict home detention conditions, which also prohibit the former prime minister from using personal mobile phones or appearing on social media, Parliament was told today.

Speaking during Minister’s Question Time this morning, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail outlined the specific terms stipulated by the Pardons Board governing Najib’s residence, movement, and communications.

Under the residential restrictions, Najib’s immediate family was specifically defined as his spouse, children, sons- and daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

Anyone outside this immediate circle is barred from residing there without prior written approval.

“The Pardons Board specifies who is permitted to stay; only those individuals may reside there. Beyond that, prior written permission is required,” Saifuddin explained.

He added that Najib is strictly prohibited from moving to another house, building, or premise, and cannot leave the registered address, including to attend Friday prayers, without obtaining written authorisation. 

Receiving guests at the residence is similarly prohibited unless prior written consent is granted and Saifuddin said Najib is barred from using any mobile phones or telecommunications devices, except equipment officially registered by the Prisons Department.

The former prime minister is also strictly prohibited from exposing himself to, or appearing in, any media coverage or on any social media platforms.

“The registered device is strictly for the Prisons Department to contact him and verify that he is at the residence,” he said.