A PKR Youth leader has urged the party to state its official position on the issue of a full pardon for Najib Abdul Razak, following Umno’s latest push for the former prime minister’s release from prison.
Federal Territories PKR Youth chief Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi said a clear stance must be stated promptly after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi once again called for a royal pardon for Najib.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Asheeq reminded PKR’s leadership of the sacrifices made by the youth in the movement against the 1MDB scandal.
“As a former student activist who stood on the frontlines of the #TangkapMO1 movement a decade ago, I wish to remind PKR’s top leadership of the price paid by young people in opposing the 1MDB scandal at that time.
“Ten years ago, my friends and I risked our education - I myself was suspended for a semester.
“We were labelled ‘political donkeys of the opposition’, and at that time, Anwar Ibrahim and many leaders of Pakatan Harapan also supported and stood with us.
“Now we ask the PKR leadership to state the party’s official position on this issue,” he said.
Malaysiakini has contacted Anwar’s office and is awaiting a response from the PKR president regarding the call.
Earlier, Zahid openly appealed to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar to consider pardoning Najib.
“God willing, this is a pledge in this hall. We appeal to His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to hear the pleas and concerns of all Umno members so that Najib may once again be with us,” Zahid said during his speech at Umno’s 80th anniversary convention last Sunday.
Why the silence?
Commenting further, Asheeq, who is also a lawyer, said the deputy prime minister’s speech created the impression that Najib could potentially be released in the near future.
“More than 48 hours have passed since Zahid’s speech, and not a single PKR leader has responded.
“We, who once fought against the 1MDB scandal, can no longer remain silent if the person who once wronged my friends is now being publicly discussed in terms of his release.
“So we ask: what is the party’s position, and does the stance from 10 years ago still hold?” he questioned.
The issue of Najib’s pardon resurfaced following the Pardons Board’s decision in February 2024 to reduce his prison sentence from 12 years to six, and his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Based on that decision, Najib is expected to be released on Aug 23, 2028, or a year later if the fine is not paid.
The controversy intensified when Najib’s lawyers claimed there was a royal addendum order allowing the former Umno president to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
The lack of an initial response from the government and the Attorney-General’s Chambers on the matter led Najib to file a judicial review in April that same year to enforce the order.
The Pahang palace later confirmed the existence of the document in 2025, however, the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Dec 22 dismissed the application on the grounds that it was not legally valid.
Najib discontinued his bid for house arrest last month after dropping his appeal.
Now, renewed pressure from Umno grassroots members appears to be refocusing efforts on securing a full pardon - potentially paving the way for Najib’s return to active politics. - Mkini
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