Malaysia’s High Court ruled against former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s request to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest. The decision centered on a royal order from 2024 that would have permitted this, which the court found unconstitutional due to the lack of consultation with the pardons board. Najib is convicted for embezzling about $9.9 million tied to the 1MDB fund, linked to a larger $4.5 billion scandal. His original 12-year sentence was halved. The court’s ruling confirms Najib must remain in prison until his anticipated release in 2028. A separate graft trial is pending decision on whether Najib faces further charges and potentially longer imprisonment.