Those convicted of graft must serve full sentence, says PH

 The coalition says high-profile cases must be handled without compromising public confidence.

PH said ongoing judicial processes must be allowed to run their course ‘without raising any perception’ of influence by other considerations. (Pexels pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Pakatan Harapan (PH) has called for those convicted of corruption or abuse of power, particularly in high-profile cases, to serve their sentence in full.

In a statement issued after midnight by its secretariat council, PH said it fully supported the Madani government’s efforts to combat corruption, leakage and abuse of power.

It also said it upheld the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s call for such cases to be investigated “thoroughly, without compromise”.

“As a coalition that has championed institutional reforms, good governance and rejection of corruption from the outset, PH holds that any individual convicted of corruption or abuse of power, especially in high-profile cases, must fully serve the sentence set by the court,” it said.

It said ongoing judicial processes must be allowed to run their course “without raising any perception” of influence by other considerations.

The coalition said public confidence in national institutions depended on how such cases were handled, and that previous high-profile corruption cases had damaged Malaysia’s reputation internationally.

“Any decision in high-profile cases must account for public confidence in the country’s seriousness in carrying out this agenda,” it added.

PH also reaffirmed its commitment to the Reformasi agenda, the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts, even “when under pressure”.

The statement did not name any case or individual, but came amid reports that the Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB) is expected to meet on Sept 11 to consider, among other matters, the bid by imprisoned former prime minister Najib Razak for a pardon of his convictions linked to the 1MDB scandal.

Sin Chew Daily reported that federal territories minister Hannah Yeoh, who sits on the FTPB chaired by the king, briefed the PH presidential council on Tuesday night.

Najib, 72, was convicted six years ago of misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds. He was fined RM210 million and sentenced to 12 years, which he has been serving at Kajang prison since Aug 23, 2022.

The FTPB later halved his prison term to six years and reduced the fine to RM50 million.

In December 2025, he was convicted of abuse of power and money laundering involving over RM2 billion linked to 1MDB. He was sentenced to 15 years’ jail and fined RM11.38 billion. He is appealing the conviction. - FMT