Moving Najib from prison to bungalow risks deepening political apathy, warns livid Muda

 

For Muda vice-president Zarul Afiq, there can be no compromise over former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s prison sentence, as justice demands that no one, regardless of power or position, be treated as above the law.

“More worryingly, situations like this will cause young people to lose even more faith in politics. They will ask: if justice can differ depending on who we are, what is the point of democracy?” he said.

Zarul was responding to reports that Najib’s fresh application is set to be considered by the Federal Territories Pardons Board on Friday.

The Muda leader said the news left him with “anger and disappointment”.

“The principle is clear - there must be no two-tier justice system. Laws and sentences must be enforced fairly, regardless of whether a person is a former prime minister, an influential politician, or an ordinary citizen.

“Any decision perceived as granting special treatment to a particular individual risks eroding public confidence in democracy, national institutions, and the supremacy of the Constitution. Justice must not be seen as something that changes according to a person’s position, power, or influence,” he added.

Zarul (above) said the political culture of placing those in power above the law must be rejected, adding that people have seen for far too long the gap between those who wield power and ordinary citizens who have to face the justice system in full.

“Every decision must be made with full transparency, based on the Constitution and principles of justice - not on who holds power,” he added.

Opposition to house arrest

Earlier, Malaysiakini reported that Pakatan Harapan appeared to be pushing back, stating that individuals convicted of corruption or abuse of power, particularly in high-profile cases, should serve the full sentences imposed by the courts.

In a statement posted on Facebook last night following a meeting of the coalition’s top leadership, Harapan said the rule of law also required ongoing judicial proceedings to be allowed to conclude independently and in an orderly manner.

Najib is still facing other graft charges in court related to 1MDB. He is also appealing a separate 2025 conviction on 25 counts of abuse of power and money laundering that resulted in a 15-year sentence.

Meanwhile, sources who attended the Harapan meeting told Singapore’s Straits Times that Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar (above) and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh are expected to oppose any additional clemency for Najib when the Federal Territories Pardons Board convenes.

“Ultimately, however, the decision rests with the king. Anwar will therefore seek an audience with the king ahead of the Pardons Board meeting to discuss the matter,” one of the sources was quoted as saying.

The Federal Territories Pardons Board is chaired by Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Najib began serving a 12-year prison term in 2022 after being convicted in the SRC International corruption case. In 2024, the Pardons Board cut his sentence by half and reduced the RM210 million fine imposed on him to RM50 million. - Mkini