Former Bersih leaders join calls to disclose Najib pardon minutes

 

CALLS for greater transparency over the decision-making process involving Najib Razak’s pardon have gained further support, with two former Bersih leaders among those urging the authorities to release the minutes of the Federal Territories Pardons Board meeting.

Ambiga Sreenevasan and Maria Chin Abdullah are among 37 organisations and 385 individuals who signed a joint statement issued by the Persatuan Martabat Untuk Semua Petaling Jaya.

The statement centres on concerns over public confidence in the administration of justice, particularly in a case involving a high-profile convicted figure.

The signatories also pointed to the wider financial implications of the 1MDB and SRC International Sdn Bhd scandals, arguing that the country continues to bear a significant burden arising from the cases.

“The burden of high-profile corruption is ultimately borne by the people, who pay the price through lost national revenue, debt-servicing obligations and reduced allocations for essential public infrastructure and economic development. There are critical concerns that affect our nation.

“Decisions concerning Najib’s legal fate, from halving his original 12-year prison sentence and reducing the fine from RM210 million to RM50 mil, to his conditional transition to house arrest, have inevitably raised profound questions about transparency, accountability and the rule of law in Malaysia,” they said.

The group is now seeking the complete minutes of the Pardons Board meeting to be made public, along with the reasons recorded to explain how the decision on Najib’s application was reached.

For the signatories, disclosure of the documents would provide greater clarity over the process and help address concerns surrounding the administration of justice.

They said transparency was particularly important in safeguarding the integrity of Malaysia’s justice system and maintaining its accountability to the public.

“Full disclosure is crucial to clarify how a case involving large-scale institutional abuse of power could ultimately result in multiple reductions in punishment, and how Najib, who has been convicted, has now been granted the privilege of house arrest.— Focus Malaysia