Will Najib Razak be transferred to house arrest?

Malaysia’s king has warned the government not to challenge his authority over the proposed transfer of jailed former prime minister Najib Razak to house arrest. The move has been suspended while the attorney general seeks clarification on the court order, creating a standoff over how the royal pardon should be carried out.

Razak was due to leave prison after his party paid a $12 million fine, one of the pardon’s conditions. He is also appealing a separate 15-year sentence for abuse of power and money laundering. The dispute raises questions about the balance of authority between Malaysia’s monarchy, government and courts.