The Royal Way Out for Malaysia's Najib: A Troubling Precedent Malaysia's royal family has long been a subject of fascination and controversy, but rarely have their powers been exercised as brazenly as in granting former Prime Minister Najib Razak house arrest.
This decision allows the convicted ex leader to serve out his graft sentence under more comfortable circumstances than those faced by ordinary prisoners.
The sudden convening of the Pardons Board meeting last week, just seven days after deferring Najib's clemency application, suggests that the palace was eager to grant its favorite son some measure of leniency.