KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 6): Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has appealed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant a full pardon to the jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
This follows the Court of Appeal’s decision to allow Najib's appeal to challenge the existence of an addendum allegedly permitting him to serve the rest of his prison sentence under house arrest, along with a letter purportedly from the Pahang royal household verifying the addendum.
In a statement, Zahid expressed gratitude to the sultan of Pahang for certifying the validity of the addendum regarding Najib's house arrest. The sultan of Pahang was the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"Umno seeks the kindness, wisdom, and justice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant a full pardon to Datuk Seri Najib in accordance with His Majesty’s prerogatives under the provisions of Article 42 (1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution," Zahid said.
Under Article 42(1) of the Federal Constitution, the King has the prerogative to grant pardons, reprieves, and respites for offences committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya.
Article 42(2) further provides that the King may remit, suspend, or commute any sentence imposed by the courts.
Zahid also reaffirmed that Umno respects the ongoing legal process and remains committed to seeking justice for Najib.
Earlier on Monday, a three-member Court of Appeal bench, in a 2-1 majority decision, ruled in favour of Najib's appeal, allowing the merits of his challenge regarding the existence of an addendum — purportedly issued by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong to permit him to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest — to be heard in the High Court.
Pahang exco member Datuk Nizar Najib, who is also Najib's son, also presented a letter purportedly signed by the Pahang royal household comptroller, Datuk Ahmad Khirrizal Ab Rahman, to the court, allegedly verifying the existence of the addendum.
Najib is currently serving a reduced six-year prison term and a RM50 million fine after being found guilty of seven charges, including abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
The original sentence was a 12-year prison term and a RM210 million fine before a partial royal pardon was granted in March last year by the previous King.