Najib’s conditional pardon doesn’t weaken our stand on graft, says Anwar

 The prime minister says all ongoing corruption cases must proceed according to the law.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on everyone to accept positively the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decision to grant a conditional pardon to former prime minister Najib Razak. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The conditional pardon granted to Najib Razak does not undermine the government’s commitment to taking firm action against all forms of corruption and abuse of power, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said the government’s commitment to the rule of law remained intact, and that all corruption cases, including ongoing cases involving the former prime minister, must proceed according to the law.

“Ultimately, the constitution provides for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s absolute powers, and I hope we will accept the decision positively.

“Beyond that, I want to stress that the rule of law remains intact and our decision to take action against all corruption remains unchanged.

“(The decision) does not mean the country should bow to embezzlement and corruption,” Berita Harian reported him as saying after Friday prayers in Putrajaya.

Earlier today, the legal affairs division of the Prime Minister’s Department said Najib had been granted a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of his RM50 million fine.

The division said the conditional pardon was granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, following the 64th meeting of the Federal Territories Pardons Board today.

Najib, 73, has been serving a six-year sentence at Kajang prison after the board halved his original 12-year sentence in the SRC International case in February 2024. The original RM210 million fine was also reduced to RM50 million.

He was imprisoned in August 2022 after the Federal Court dismissed his final appeal in the case. - FMT