However, lawyers are of the opinion that the 69-year-old former prime minister may pay the fine at any point during his 12-year jail period.

Lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla said based on the principals of law, Najib may pay the fine whenever he wants, but if he doesn’t pay by the time his 12-year jail term is scheduled to end, an additional five years will be added as per the Federal Court ruling.

Lim Wei Jiet concurred with the view, saying that there was no time limit imposed by the Federal Court on the payment.

“Hence, he can pay anytime during the 12 years,” said the counsel.

Meanwhile, lawyer M Visvanathan said Najib could pay in installments or even sell properties as provided in Section 283 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“Normally, a reasonable amount of time will be given to make payment,” he said.

Yesterday, the apex court upheld the conviction and 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine on Najib for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC funds.

A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat dismissed the former prime minister’s appeal to set aside the conviction and sentence imposed by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 28, 2020.

Najib had on Dec 8, 2021, failed to overturn the ruling after the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision.