Umno hopes Najib’s pardon application will face no delay

 Party secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki says Umno will continue pursuing justice for Najib Razak through legal and constitutional channels.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party fully respects the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as well as all processes under the Federal Constitution.

PETALING JAYA:

Umno has expressed hope that former prime minister Najib Razak’s application for a pardon in connection with his 1MDB-linked convictions will be considered “without any unnecessary delay” at the next meeting of the Federal Territories Pardons Board.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party fully respects the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as well as all processes provided for under the Federal Constitution concerning the power to grant pardons.

He said in a statement that the party hoped that Najib’s application would be considered by the board in accordance with due legal and constitutional processes.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister’s Department said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, who presided over today’s pardons board meeting, had consented to defer Najib’s application to the next meeting.

After the decision, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party hoped the Yang di-Pertuan Agong would “exercise his wisdom and royal prerogative in making the best decision” on Najib’s application.

Zahid expressed sadness over the pardons board decision to defer a decision, but said the party respects Sultan Ibrahim’s decision. Umno remained loyal to the king and would continue to uphold the institution of the Malay Rulers, he told reporters after his address to the Umno general assembly.

Asyraf said that Umno did not regard the fight for justice for Najib to be an attempt to challenge the institution or legal processes. “We will continue our efforts through constitutional, legal and legitimate channels to ensure Najib’s case receives due consideration,” he said.

Najib, 72, was convicted six years ago of misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International. He was fined RM210 million and handed a 12-year jail term, which he has been serving at Kajang prison since August 2022.

In February 2024, the pardons board reduced the prison term to six years and the fine to RM50 million.

In a separate case, Najib was convicted in December 2025 of abuse of power and money laundering involving more than RM2 billion linked to 1MDB. He was sentenced to 15 years’ jail and fined RM11.38 billion. He has appealed against the conviction. - FMT