30-1-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Speculation surrounding the Pardons Board’s decision regarding an appeal by Datuk Seri Najib Razak over his conviction intensified today, with news of a scheduled press conference by the home minister tomorrow.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is set to address the media at his ministry in Putrajaya at 3.30pm, where it is expected that he will announce the Pardons Board’s decision.
Rumours circulating suggest that instead of a full pardon, the former prime minister may have been granted a remission of his sentence to just six years, half the duration imposed by the High Court and upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court.
Earlier today, Utusan Malaysia published a speculative article claiming Najib had been pardoned for his conviction and 12-year prison sentence in the SRC International case. However, the publication later retracted the article and issued an apology.
The speculation intensified following remarks by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who mentioned that the Pardons Board would issue a statement on Najib’s application for a royal pardon.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year jail term after being found guilty of abuse of power in relation to Retirement Fund Inc’s (KWAP) RM4 billion loan to SRC International Sdn Bhd, as well as criminal breach of trust and abuse of power involving RM42 million of SRC funds. He was also fined RM210 million.
SRC International is a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), and in August 2022, the Federal Court upheld Najib’s conviction.
In Malaysia, each state has its own Pardons Board chaired by the respective sultan or Yang di-Pertua (or governor).
The Pardons Board for each state comprises five members, including the attorney general, the chief minister or menteri besar, and three other members appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the state ruler.
For the Federal Territories, the prime minister is one of the board members, as the territory falls under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Department.
