Prisons Dept: Najib’s nearly eight-hour outing on Friday was not only for prayers, included hospital check-up and counselling

A vehicle carrying former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to his residence on Jalan Langgak Duta where he is serving the remainder of his six-year SRC International sentence under house arrest is seen on November 10, 2026. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

By Malay Mail

First Published: Saturday, 14 Nov 2026 8:29 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — The Prisons Department has clarified that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s nearly eight-hour absence from his house arrest residence on Friday was not solely for Friday prayers, as earlier reported.

The department had taken note of media reports that Najib was out of his residence for almost eight hours on November 13.

“His movements on that day began at 10.25am until 6.25pm and did not involve only performing Friday prayers as reported,” the department said in a statement late last night.

According to the department, Najib attended a follow-up medical appointment at the orthopaedic department of Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

He then performed Friday prayers at the Kajang Prison mosque.

The department said he also attended a Quran study session with an ustaz from the Islamic Development Department at Kajang Prison.

It added that he later attended a counselling session with a psychology officer at the prison.

“After all these matters were completed, he was taken home from Kajang Prison at 5.50pm and arrived at his house in Jalan Langgak Duta at 6.25pm,” it said.

The department stressed that “every movement of his is carried out based on the matters and needs that have been determined, and is subject to standard operating procedures, house arrest conditions, and the control and supervision of the Malaysian Prisons Department”.

It said religious activities, healthcare, and rehabilitation and intervention programmes are among the aspects given attention in the management of an individual serving a sentence.

The department added that it would continue to ensure all related matters are carried out in an orderly and professional manner, in compliance with the rules in force.

Chinese-language newspaper Sin Chew Daily had yesterday reported that Najib left his home at about 10.28am and returned at about 6.27pm on Friday, in an outing that lasted nearly eight hours.

Najib was convicted of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.

He is serving the remainder of his six-year sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, following a conditional royal pardon granted in September.

Under the Pardons Board’s conditions, he is barred from engaging in political activities, making media statements or appearing on social media.

He is also prohibited from leaving the gazetted premises without written permission, although prison officers are permitted to escort him for Friday prayers.