KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 14 -- The Prisons Department has clarified that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's nearly eight-hour absence from his house arrest residence on Friday was not solely for Friday prayers, as earlier reported.

The department had taken note of media reports that Najib was out of his residence for almost eight hours on November 13.

"His movements on that day began at 10.25am until 6.25pm and did not involve only performing Friday prayers as reported," the department said in a statement late last night.

According to the department, Najib attended a follow-up medical appointment at the orthopaedic department of Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

He then performed Friday prayers at the Kajang Prison mosque.

The department ...