Najib Abdul Razak has the option of filing a petition for a pardon with regard to the Federal Court upholding his conviction and prison sentence.
However, lawyer New Sin Yew said the former prime minister must file the petition within 14 days or lose his status as Pekan MP.
“Pardons is not a judicial process, which has ended with the Federal Court. It is an executive process where the executive may choose to remit, suspend, or commute the sentence.
“If Najib is successful in his petition for a pardon, his imprisonment and fine could be reduced or suspended entirely.
“This power can only be exercised by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong having consulted or been recommended by the Pardons Board,” he added.
The Pardons Board, New said, comprised the attorney-general, the federal territories minister, and three other members appointed by the Agong, who presides over the board.
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“There is no time limit to decide on a petition for pardon and there is no limit to the number of times one can file a petition for pardon.
“But for Najib's case, if he does not do it within 14 days, he will lose his status as MP under Article 48,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun said he is still waiting for the official gazetted order on the status of Najib's Pekan seat.
“If he does not file any other appeal in 14 days, then he will be disqualified,” Azhar told reporters on the sidelines of the Indonesian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur 77th Independence Day celebrations.
“If within the 14 days there is a petition filed for pardon, then an MP's qualification to hold his seat will remain until the petition has been decided on,” he added.
Najib has been the MP for Pekan since 1976.
He contested the seat following the death of his father Abdul Razak Hussein, who was the second prime minister.
Speculation regarding a pardon for Najib had been circulating since the onset of his case. - Mkini
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