Malaysia’s Najib Loses House Arrest Bid, Stirring Discord

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak lost a court bid on Monday to serve the rest of his prison term under house arrest, dealing a fresh setback to the once-powerful leader jailed over the 1MDB scandal and stirring discord within the ruling coalition.

Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Alice Loke Yee Ching said a royal order allowing Najib to be placed under house arrest was not valid, and that the king cannot decide independently of the Pardons Board. Najib’s lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, said he would appeal the decision.