Two weeks ago, Najib Abdul Razak had two things to look forward to: that he would be placed under house arrest, and then have his prison sentence end in August 2026.

The revised jail term for Najib’s conviction in the SRC International case was scheduled to end by August 2028. However, including the one-third remission for good behaviour, he could have been out as early as August next year.

But the courts have dashed both prospects. The house arrest decree was declared invalid, and he was convicted in the 1MDB corruption case and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Lawyers Malaysiakini spoke to said that with the 1MDB conviction...