KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 19 -- Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak says Malaysians who have offered to help pay the RM50 million fine required under his conditional royal pardon should not feel "burdened or obliged" to do so.

The statement from his lawyers comes as the Najib Razak Solidarity Fund set up by Umno to help him meet the payment reached RM1 million by 9.30am yesterday, less than a day after it was launched.

"While our client is deeply touched by these expressions of solidarity, he does not wish the Party, its members and supporters, or members of the public to feel burdened or obliged on his account," Najib's lawyers in the firm Messrs Shafee & Co said in a statement issued on his behalf.

The lawyers said Najib was grate...