KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 19 -- Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's ability to pay the RM50 million fine required for his house arrest could be complicated by frozen assets, bank accounts and properties subject to government enforcement proceedings, according to his lawyers.

The legal firm Messrs Shafee & Co said a "significant part" of Najib's assets remained subject to freezing orders and enforcement proceedings, meaning their disposal was not presently within his sole control.

"His ability to satisfy the condition therefore turns in part on matters that do not lie in his own hands," the lawyers said in a statement issued on Najib's behalf.

Najib remains at Kajang Prison in the meantime and will only be transferred to house arre...