KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 9): Pakatan Harapan (PH) has stressed that those convicted of corruption or abuse of power, particularly in high-profile cases, should serve the full sentences imposed by the courts.
Any decision involving high-profile cases must take into account public confidence in the country’s commitment to its reform and anti-corruption agenda, the ruling coalition said in a statement issued on Wednesday midnight.
The principle of the rule of law also requires that ongoing judicial proceedings be allowed to conclude in an orderly and independent manner, without creating the perception that other considerations have pre-empted the process, PH said.
While the statement did not name any individual, it comes amid reports that the Pardons Board, chaired by the King, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, is scheduled to meet on Sept 11 to consider, among other matters, imprisoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s bid for a pardon over his convictions linked to the multibillion-ringgit 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
Chinese-language daily Sin Chew Daily reported that Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh, who sits on the Pardons Board by virtue of her ministerial post, briefed the PH presidential council on Tuesday night.
The three component parties of PH, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s PKR, have reportedly reiterated their opposition to a pardon for Najib, according to the report.
Najib has been imprisoned since Aug 23, 2022, after the Federal Court dismissed his final appeal in the RM42 million SRC International Sdn Bhd case. He was sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million.
Najib has consistently maintained his innocence and subsequently sought a royal pardon. The Pardons Board, chaired by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, reduced his prison term to six years and the fine to RM50 million in 2024, before the King’s five-year reign ended.
Najib also sought to compel the government to enforce an alleged addendum order issued by Al-Sultan Abdullah allowing him to serve the remainder of his reduced sentence under house arrest. The application, however, was dismissed by the court last year.
Najib was separately found guilty in December 2025 on four charges of abuse of power and 21 money-laundering charges involving more than RM2 billion in funds linked to 1MDB.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay a RM11.38 billion fine. He is appealing against the conviction.
All eyes on Umno assembly
The PH statement also comes as Najib’s party Umno is set to convene its annual general assembly from Sept 9 to 12.
Umno, the lynchpin of Barisan Nasional (BN), is part of the Anwar-led multi-party ruling government and has previously been vocal in its push to secure house arrest for Najib.
Umno leaders have yet to respond to Najib’s alleged fresh bid for a pardon, although the issue is expected to be among those debated by delegates at the assembly.