KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak must be allowed to return home immediately to serve his sentence under house arrest should the High Court rule in his favour.
His lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who spoke at a press conference here on Thursday, said the matter involves the former prime minister's liberty.
"I want to reiterate that if the decision is in our favour, he must serve his remaining jail term under house arrest right away," he said.
Shafee said while preparations must be made at Najib's residence, the former premier must be allowed to return "without unnecessary delay".
When asked about the possibility of the prosecution filing an appeal if the court's decision was in Najib's favour, Shafee said it was their prerogative to do so, but it should not postpone Najib's release.
"This case involves Najib's liberty," he said.
Najib is currently serving the sentence imposed on him at the Kajang Prison following his conviction by the High Court that found him guilty of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering in relation to RM42mil that had been siphoned from SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary.
In February last year, the Pardons Board reduced his initial 12-year jail sentence and RM210mil fine to six years and a RM50mil fine.
In April, Najib filed a judicial review application in which he claimed a Royal addendum exists, under which he should be serving the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
The High Court has fixed Monday (Dec 22) to deliver its decision in the judicial review.
