Pardons Board's statement on Najib unlikely to come today

The official statement from the Pardons Board on former premier Najib Abdul Razak's bid for freedom is not likely to be issued today.

The board will not likely want to detract from the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong's swearing-in ceremony today.

Speculation that the Home Ministry will announce the decision at a press conference today has also been dismissed.

Likewise, a post-cabinet press conference by government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil this evening will likely end with him urging the media to wait for the board's statement.

The cabinet has been trying to assert a separation between the executive and the Pardons Board, and its decision-making.

The board, which is headed by the Agong, is believed to have met on Monday to decide on Najib's pardon bid.

It was one of the last acts of Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, whose term as Agong ended on Tuesday.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territory) Dr Zaliha Mustafa - who sits on the board - confirmed yesterday that a decision was made and that a statement would be issued.

However, she did not say when exactly the statement would be revealed.

Rumours abound

There are three possible outcomes from the board, which are the subject of intense speculation.

The first possibility is that Najib was granted a pardon, and would be released from prison soon.

The second outcome that is gaining traction among speculators is that the former prime minister would have his 12-year jail sentence reduced, with some believing it may be cut down by half.

Channel News Asia today published a report citing government sources as confirming that Najib's sentence was reduced to six years, placing his release date around August 2028.

However, the report noted that Najib may be released earlier with parole for good behaviour in August 2026 after serving two-thirds of his sentence.

The government has warned the media against reporting based on sources regarding this matter.

A third possibility is that the Pardons Board rejected Najib’s bid.

Najib was locked up in Kajang Prison after being convicted in the RM42 million SRC International corruption case.

The 12-year imprisonment was meted out by the High Court - upheld by the Court of Appeal and Federal Court.

Najib is also on trial for other crimes, including four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.27 billion from 1MDB.

King’s sole discretion whether to pardon Najib - minister

Media frenzy over Najib's pardon status leads to retractions, rebukes

M'sia climbs to 57th rank in Corruption Perceptions Index

Najib pardoned? Minister says wait for official statement