M'sian High Court to hear Najib's appeal to serve remaining sentence under house arrest

Malaysia's Court of Appeal has ruled to have former Prime Minister Najib Razak's appeal bid to serve the remaining of his jail sentence under house arrest to be heard at the High Court.

The decision was made on Monday (Jan. 6), after a three-member Court of Appeal reversed an earlier court's ruling which dismissed Najib's application to initiate a judicial review last year, New Straits Times reported.

The former Prime Minister had previously requested to produce an "addendum order" permitting a house arrest by the former Malaysia Agong, Sultan Abdullah of Pahang, but was rejected by the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Najib has now been granted leave for a judicial review on the existence of the addendum order.

Celebrating the Court of Appeal's decision

Najib's supporters are now celebrating the Court of Appeal's decision, according to The Star.

Free Malaysia Today reported that almost 3,000 Najib supporters gathered outside the Palace of Justice, which houses the Court of Appeal, in an act of solidarity with the former prime minister.

The crowd included supporters from the Malaysian Islamist Party (PAS), Bersatu, Umno, and NGOs.

They reportedly arrived at the Palace of Justice at 6:30am and held banners with messages such as "#Justice4Najib".

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has distanced Pakatan Harapan, the coalition he leads, from the rally.

"Harapan is not involved," he said, as quoted by Malaysiakini.

Top image via AFP