Pardons Board halves Najib's jail time, to be released in 2028

 

The Pardons Board has decided to slash former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s jail time from 12 years to six.

This means Najib would be released from prison on Aug 23, 2028.

The board also slashed the fine slapped on the former premier from RM210 million to RM50 million.

“However, if he fails to pay up, the prison sentence on Najib will be added by a year, and he will be only released on Aug 23, 2029,” said the board in a statement.

Najib was locked up in Kajang Prison after being convicted in the RM42 million SRC International corruption case.

The 12-year sentence and conviction were meted out by the High Court and upheld by the Court of Appeal and Federal Court.

Not good for PM

Najib is also currently on trial for other crimes, including four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.27 billion from 1MDB.

The Pardons Board’s decision today follows rife speculations on Najib’s status, including initial rumours of a full pardon and immediate release from prison.

Previously, analysts predicted that either decision, whether Najib gets pardoned or otherwise, would be bad news for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

All states in Malaysia have their own Pardons Board headed by either the sultan or governor for states like Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak.

According to Articles 42(5) and 42(11) of the Federal Constitution, the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories comprises the attorney-general, federal territories minister and no more than three other members appointed by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.

Based on appointments announced through the federal gazette, there are four names whose appointments were valid at the time Najib's pardon was considered.

This means at least one of those persons is no longer a member due to resignations and other factors that may nullify an appointment, which is not announced through the gazette.

These royal appointees are Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Paramasivam Arunasalam, Darussalam Budin and Zaharah Ibrahim. - Mkini