Zahid 'saddened' by Najib's pardon hearing postponement

 

UMNO AGM | Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed sadness over the postponement of Najib Abdul Razak’s pardon application hearing, but maintained his continued support for the royal institution.

“We are saddened by the decision,” he told reporters at the Umno annual general assembly (AGM) at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre today.

He said Umno prays that Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, will make the best decision.

“We continue to uphold the rulers and hope for the best for Najib,” the deputy prime minister added.

Earlier today, the Legal Affairs Division stated that Najib's pardon application has been postponed to a future Pardons Board meeting.

In a statement, the division, which falls under the Prime Minister's Department, did not mention the date for the next Pardons Board meeting.

Harapan makes a stand

On Sept 9, Pakatan Harapan reiterated its position that those convicted in high-profile cases of corruption and abuse of power "must serve out the full sentence set by the courts".

The statement from the coalition led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim came at a time when, among others, the Pardons Board meeting was initially slated to hear Najib’s pardon bid.

Separately, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (above) asserted that no party has the right to question the ruler's constitutional prerogative powers.

However, he criticised Harapan for its "bias" in opposing a pardon for Najib, given that its own leader had received a royal pardon.

"On one hand, you allowed this (Anwar's pardon) to happen and you endorsed (a pardon) for your own people, your own leader.

“But when it comes to other people, you are trying to argue from many angles and perspectives that it is not right," he told reporters at the same event.

Anwar’s pardon in 2018

Anwar received a full pardon from the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2018, on the grounds that there was a miscarriage of justice after he was sent to jail for the second time in 2015 for sodomy - a charge he claimed was politically motivated.

Yesterday, Zahid said Umno was “hoping for the best” outcome for Najib, noting that he is “confident” in the Agong’s discretion and wisdom.

Najib, 72, has been in prison since August 2022 after being convicted of misappropriating RM42 million belonging to SRC International.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and slapped with a RM210 million fine.

In 2024, the Pardons Board halved his prison term to six years and reduced the fine to RM50 million.

‘It’s another game’

Meanwhile, the former prime minister's son, Nazifuddin, refused to comment further on the decision regarding his father’s case.

“I can’t comment,” he said briefly to Malaysiakini.

When asked to comment on whether he was disappointed with the decision and if there was still some hope regarding the ruling made against Najib, the Langkawi Umno chief continued to refuse to comment.

“I can’t comment,” Nazifuddin (below) responded.

As for Umno Youth secretary Hafiz Ariffin, he abides by the decision made against the former party president.

"But for any move (further action), we will wait for the full judgment. Whatever it is, we leave it to the power of the Pardons Board,” he said.

However, Umno veterans secretary Mustapha Yaakub described the decision as a "game".

“This is another game. Even though the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had agreed, why was it not included in the agenda and had to be postponed again?

“This is a game played by them. I am confident that the postponement of Najib’s pardon will ignite the spirit of party members to reject the existing government, and Umno is also ready to face the upcoming general election. We are ready,” he stated. - Mkini