Najib Razak says he lacks funds to pay RM50 million fine
Lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told reporters that former prime minister Najib Razak cannot afford the RM50 million fine required for him to continue serving his SRC International sentence under house arrest.
According to his counsel, Najib Razak does not have the financial resources to settle the RM50 million penalty imposed as a condition of his house-arrest sentence for the SRC International case. Shafee said Najib's bank accounts, including an Affin Bank account that once received his salary as prime minister and MP, are frozen. He also noted that Najib has not appealed to the public for donations to cover the fine.
Why it matters
It highlights the financial hurdles faced by a high-profile political figure in meeting court-ordered penalties.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report that Najib lacks the money to pay the RM50 million fine and that his accounts are frozen, but left-leaning coverage adds his reluctance to involve his party and warns critics, while right-leaning coverage notes he has not asked the public for donations.
LEFT
Highlights Najib’s inability to pay the fine, the freezing of his accounts, his reluctance to involve his party, and warns critics of misunderstanding the case.
RIGHT
Emphasizes Najib’s lack of funds to settle the fine, the freezing of his bank accounts, and that he has not appealed to the public for donations.
The left emphasises
- does not have enough personal resources to pay the RM50 million fine
- accounts are still frozen
- reluctance to request financial assistance from his political party and warning to critics
The right emphasises
- does not have financial resources to settle the RM50 million penalty
- bank accounts are frozen
- has not appealed to the public for donations
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