30-4-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) The Malaysian Bar has taken legal action by filing an application for leave to commence a judicial review against the decision of the Pardons Board to reduce the sentence of Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case.
Last Friday (April 26), the application was lodged at the High Court registry through Messrs Amir & Rajpal Ghai. It identified the Federal Territories Pardons Board and Najib as the first and second respondents, respectively.
According to court documents, the Bar is challenging the decision made by the Pardons Board on January 29 regarding Najib’s application. The Bar contends that the decision to reduce Najib’s imprisonment sentence by 50% and his hefty fine was unlawful, unconstitutional, and void.
The Bar is seeking a declaration from the court regarding the unlawfulness of the Pardons Board’s decision. Additionally, it is requesting a certiorari order to annul the decisions and a permanent injunction to prevent Najib from submitting further pardon applications until all legal proceedings against him are exhausted.
In the supporting affidavit affirmed by the Bar’s secretary Murshidah Mustafa, it is argued that the Pardons Board’s decision violated Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution by granting Najib preferential treatment not extended to other convicted prisoners.
Murshidah highlighted discrepancies in the handling of Najib’s application, suggesting that he received special treatment compared to other prisoners. The sequence of Najib’s application was reportedly irregular, raising concerns of favouritism.
The court’s efiling system indicates that the hearing for leave to commence judicial review is scheduled for July 2 before Justice Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid. Najib, 70, has been serving his sentence in Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022, following his conviction in the SRC International case.
