JAILED former prime minister Najib Razak has been admitted to the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital (CRH) for treatment, the Prison Department confirmed today.

The department said Najib was referred to the CRH after being hospitalised in Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) since September 12.

“On Sept 19, HKL referred Najib to the CRH, for further treatment and monitoring.

“Najib will be sent back to the Kajang prison to serve his jail sentence, once he is given medical clearance by specialists at CRH or HKL,” the department said in a statement.

The statement came three days after allegations were spread on social media that a person called “Merpati” was receiving special treatment in jail.

The Prison Department today did not address several other allegations on social media, including the proposed modification of prison conditions for Najib.

Najib is receiving treatment in line with section 37 of the Prison Act as well as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Treatment of Prison (Mandela Rules), the statement read.

The Prison Department said that it is responsible for ensuring the health of a prisoner at all times and is obliged to provide the necessary treatment, facilities and medicines towards this end.

On September 13, judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah had adjourned Najib’s hearing in the 1Malaysia Development trial because of the accused’s admission to HKL. 

Meanwhile, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang called the Home Ministry to clarify whether the “Merpati” posts were true. 

“The “Merpati” posts alleged that Najib’s cell in the Kajang prison had been renovated and that there were plans to move him to CRH to give him more access to visitors and VVIP facilities.

Lim said PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli and Amanah vice president Mahfuz Omar had also asked the Home Ministry for clarification. 

“Mahfuz, who was previously remanded (in prison), also demanded answers from the government over anonymous messages claiming that the former premier had been accorded certain privileges as he did not get any special treatment.

“Mahfuz said the public must know the truth if the government was spending taxpayers’ money on Najib.”

Lim added that the Home Ministry and the Prisons Department must immediately respond to the “Merpati” social media post and that the issue must be discussed at the cabinet meeting today. – September 21, 2022.