KUALA LUMPUR – A crowdfunding drive launched by UMNO to raise money for former prime minister Najib Razak had gathered more than RM1 million (S$313,000) as of Sept 20, even as the campaign triggered heavy criticism and mockery across social media.

Najib's daughter, Nooryana Najwa, said her father was deeply touched to learn that supporters were prepared to help cover the RM50 million fine — a condition attached to his transfer from prison to house arrest for the remainder of his sentence.

"Daddy really did not expect so many people to be willing to contribute," wrote Nooryana, who also serves as information chief of Puteri, UMNO's young women's wing, in an Instagram post on Sept 20.

Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, said that people from countries such as Singapore, Brunei, Italy and Canada had reached out to offer donations. "Today, I realise who our friends are, those who have stood by us through good times and bad," she posted on Facebook the same day.

While Najib's family expressed gratitude, the party and the former leader drew intense anger from Malaysians online, many of whom were furious at the prospect of his house arrest. UMNO had shared its bank account details to collect donations, but critics seized on the opportunity to mock him.

Tiny Donations Used as Insults

Screenshots shared online appeared to show transfers of just one or five sen to the Najib Razak Solidarity Fund. Because bank transfers allow senders to include a note, detractors used the message field to attach insulting remarks.

Some labelled Najib with the derogatory Malay phrase "bapak sakau negara," loosely translated as "Malaysian father of embezzlement." Others referenced the various criminal allegations previously connected to him.

A number of people went further, doctoring screenshots to falsely claim they had paid the full RM50 million. One edited image claimed that fugitive financier Jho Low had wired RM51 million to Najib. Low, accused of a central role in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal alongside Najib, remains on the run.

Najib's move to house arrest has drawn considerable attention, with a mobile police station scheduled to be stationed outside his Kuala Lumpur home on Sept 21 as authorities prepared for his transfer from Kajang Prison.

Political Backlash Over House Arrest

The decision prompted Transport Minister Anthony Loke of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) to step down from his role on Sept 19.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Sept 20 that the ultimate authority over a pardon lies with a state ruler or the Malaysian king. He noted that every prisoner is entitled to file a petition for the Pardons Board to review, and that the prime minister's counsel along with the attorney-general's opinion must be weighed in the process.

Anwar stressed that his advice was not a recommendation to grant Najib a pardon and would have no bearing on the former leader's other pending cases. "I continued to remind them about the cases that are still ongoing. I also reminded them that the fine was too large and that the impact on public confidence in the system and international perception must be taken into account," he was quoted as saying.

UMNO set up the solidarity fund after Najib received a conditional pardon on Sept 18, permitting him to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest provided the RM50 million fine is settled.

Through his lawyer, Najib said he would remain imprisoned until the fine is paid, adding that settling it is difficult because much of his wealth, bank accounts and property are still subject to government freezing orders and enforcement action.

Opposition figures have criticised the fundraising effort. Fadhli Umar Aminolhuda, Youth chief of Parti Amanah Negara, asked on Sept 19 why UMNO had rallied its members for Najib instead of pursuing the recovery of losses tied to the 1MDB scandal.

Johor DAP vice-chief Sheikh Omar Ali used a village comparison to raise a similar concern, questioning why villagers whose money had allegedly been misused would now be asked to help pay the offender's fine. "The money of the villagers was misused, and he was punished for taking it… and now the villagers are being asked to help pay the fine from their own pockets. What kind of lesson is this that we are teaching the people?" he said.