16-1-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Prospects appear dim for jailed former Malaysian leader Najib Razak securing a royal pardon anytime soon, analysts say, given his remaining charges and potential backlash over freeing the convicted ex-premier.
Najib began serving a 12-year graft sentence in 2020 linked to the massive 1MDB financial scandal. But the former prime minister faces another three ongoing trials and has not yet served a substantial portion of his term.
Observers believe Malaysia’s Pardons Board and King would need to weigh carefully the reputational impacts of releasing Najib so soon after his conviction. The country’s image with foreign partners could suffer if Najib is pardoned prematurely, argued advisory firm Bower Group Asia’s Arinah Najwa.
The board, chaired by the King, holds a meeting in January to potentially review Najib’s case. But his lawyer confirmed Najib remains uninformed of developments after petitioning for a pardon last year.
While unlikely yet, some analysts say political calculations could conceivably factor in a pardon decision, as Najib still wields influence. His party UMNO is a partner in the ruling coalition.
Insiders indicate the Prisons Department already submitted its customary prisoner conduct report to the Prime Minister’s Department. But no timeline is specified for this process.
The final decision lies solely with the King based on the board’s non-binding advice. Current ruler Sultan Abdullah could choose to fully pardon Najib before his term expires this month. His successor may take a different stance.
But constitutional lawyer Rajan Navaratnam stressed that after just two years served, releasing Najib early poses risks, however legally discretionary royal pardons may be. The enormity of Najib’s conviction would magnify any pardon backlash.
For now, Najib’s lawyers have received no updates since requesting last December an explanation on the delayed pardon petition. The former leader may face a protracted wait as prosecutors continue pressing more charges.
With Malaysia still recovering from the 1MDB outrage, any leniency for Najib prior to fully accounting for that scandal would likely meet heavy criticism.
