10-1-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia’s Pardons Board, presided over by the king, is on the brink of making a consequential decision regarding the potential royal pardon for former Prime Minister Najib Razak. The decision holds political ramifications for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government and the country’s monarchy.
Najib’s application for a royal pardon, linked to his 12-year jail sentence for convictions related to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal, was initially presented in December. However, the Pardons Board deferred the decision to its upcoming session in the third week of January.
The six-member board, including outgoing King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah and Prime Minister Anwar, sought additional time for deliberation during the December meeting, according to anonymous senior government officials.
This critical meeting will be one of Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin’s last official tasks before stepping down at the end of January. Malaysia’s unique rotation system will then pass the monarchy to Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
The circumstances surrounding Najib’s pardon request are complex, with his conviction related to the 1MDB scandal, which shook Malaysia’s political landscape. Najib initiated the pardon request shortly after beginning his jail term in August 2022, amidst public animosity over corruption allegations and the 1MDB debacle.
While a royal pardon is the king’s prerogative, specific conditions must be met, such as serving a reasonable period of time commensurate with the sentence. Najib’s conviction also carries an outstanding fine of RM210 million (US$41.2 million).
In early December, Najib’s lead counsel, Shafee Abdullah, submitted a fresh application for the Pardons Board to reconsider, leading to a change of heart among certain board members, according to government officials.
The upcoming decision carries high stakes for Najib, who could face a two-year wait for a fresh application if rejected. Speculation suggests a potential middle-ground decision, akin to the clemency granted to former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, where Najib’s jail sentence might be reduced from twelve to eight years.
A full pardon could enable Najib’s return to active politics, posing challenges for the current leadership of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and potentially stirring public backlash against PM Anwar’s administration. The decision by the Pardons Board is eagerly awaited, with its inner workings shrouded in secrecy.
