A Malaysian court has granted former Prime Minister Najib Razak and his son a stay of bankruptcy proceedings tied to unpaid taxes, according to The Star. The decision, reported on Friday, temporarily halts legal action over the outstanding sum.
The stay applies to proceedings related to RM1.69 billion in tax arrears, as detailed by Malaysiakini. Free Malaysia Today described the amount as RM1.7 billion in unpaid taxes, while The Straits Times confirmed the court's decision to suspend the bankruptcy case against both men.
The ruling follows an appeal by Najib and his son, with the New Straits Times reporting that they won the bid to pause the bankruptcy process. The court's action means the father-and-son pair will not face immediate bankruptcy declarations while the underlying tax dispute continues.
Najib, who served as Malaysia's prime minister until 2018, has faced multiple legal battles since leaving office. The tax case is separate from his corruption convictions related to the 1MDB scandal, though the bankruptcy proceedings could have affected his ability to contest other legal matters.
The stay does not resolve the underlying tax dispute, which involves a substantial claim by Malaysian authorities. The court's decision provides temporary relief but leaves the larger question of the unpaid taxes unanswered.
Observers will now watch whether the tax authorities challenge the stay or pursue alternative legal routes to recover the claimed amount. The case adds another layer to Najib's ongoing legal troubles, which have dominated Malaysian politics since his electoral defeat.
