KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 13): Bersih chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, in an appeal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay rulers on Friday, said consideration of a royal pardon for Datuk Seri Najib Razak should have been deferred until the conclusion of his outstanding court proceedings.

In a letter titled Risalah Al-Muluk (Letter to the Rulers), Faisal noted that the former prime minister was granted clemency while he continues to face legal proceedings over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

Stressing that he does not dispute the right of any convicted individual to seek a royal pardon, Faisal added: "In my view, it would be more appropriate for consideration of such a pardon to be deferred until all ongoing legal proceedings have been fully concluded."

In the six-page letter written in Malay, the Bersih chairman highlighted the financial implications of the 1MDB scandal — RM51.4 billion in total liabilities borne by the government and ultimately Malaysians — and Najib's ongoing appeal in a separate 1MDB criminal case, in which he has been found guilty.

Faisal said these circumstances warranted greater consideration before clemency is granted.

The Bersih chairman's appeal comes just days after Najib began serving the remainder of his prison sentence in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case under house arrest, following a conditional pardon granted by Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, on Sept 18.

Recalling the Malay rulers' previous concerns over the 1MDB scandal, Faisal highlighted a statement issued by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal following a pre-Conference of Rulers meeting on Oct 6, 2015.

He noted that the rulers had at the time called for "genuine and honest cooperation from all parties to ensure that investigations into the scandal achieved their intended objectives".

“I am deeply concerned that such shame [from the scandal] could recur, tarnishing the reputation and dignity of our beloved nation.

"I believe that the outcome of the 14th general election in 2018, which saw the defeat of the individual concerned, reflected, among other things, the anger and disappointment of Malaysians who could no longer tolerate the shame brought upon the country when its dignity and honour were undermined," Faisal added.

Drawing on the traditional Malay concept of wa'ad, or the pledge between rulers and their subjects, Faisal argued that the pledge was rooted in protecting the dignity and honour of the Malay people.

He also cited Islamic teachings and classical Malay scholarship on the responsibilities of rulers, including the importance of justice, integrity and accountability.

Faisal maintained that his appeal was made out of respect for the institution of the constitutional monarchy and its responsibility to protect the dignity of the nation.

He ended the letter with the words: Daulat Tuanku. Beza Pendapat Bukan Menjebat, Luah Rasa Bukan Menderhaka — conveying that differences of opinion should not be equated with treachery, nor expressions of concern with disloyalty.

Najib began his house arrest on Nov 10 after the High Court issued a fresh order giving effect to his conditional pardon, following his payment of a RM50 million fine.

He is to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, after which he is due to serve a separate 15-year prison sentence imposed in December 2025 for corruption and money laundering offences relating to 1MDB, unless his appeal succeeds.

The house-arrest pardon applies only to the SRC International conviction and does not affect the separate 1MDB case.

Istana Negara had earlier maintained that Sultan Ibrahim's conditional pardon was clear and must be respected, following questions over the implementation of the house-arrest order.