Najib joins chorus of those disappointed with Pardons Board decision

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has joined the ranks of those who are disappointed with the Pardons Board, albeit for very different reasons.

According to his daughter Nooryana Najwa, Najib was disappointed that he was not granted a full pardon and only had his prison sentence halved and his fine reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million.

“Disappointed, very, very disappointed,” Najib said according to Nooryana when she asked how he was feeling.

“You know, Yana, the worst feeling is when you are in shock and there is no one around to speak to. You are lost in your thoughts, all alone,” he had also said according to her.

Nooryana had relayed their conversation in a post on Instagram yesterday after visiting him in Kajang prison.

Najib was originally sentenced to 12 years in prison by the High Court over the RM42 million SRC International corruption case. He was also fined RM210 million. His conviction and punishments were upheld in the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court subsequently.

His sentence was reduced by the Pardons Board when it met last Monday.

While the reduced sentence places his release date in Aug 2028, Najib could be released earlier on “good behaviour” in Aug 2026 after serving two-thirds of his sentence.

Bad precedent

Umno leaders have also expressed disappointment that Najib was not granted a full pardon.

Others have also lamented the decision, albeit in a different vein.

Former MACC special operations director Bahri Mohd Zin, who played a prominent role in the SRC International probe, was shocked at the Pardons Board’s decision and questioned if it would set a precedent for corruption cases.

Meanwhile, former DAP leader Tony Pua has been lampooning the Pardons Board’s decision.

Umno Youth wants to lodge police reports against Pua for being “insolent” in questioning the Pardons Board - and by extension the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s - decision on Najib’s pardon bid. - Mkini