Govt fails to satisfy anyone in Najib sentence reduction - Zaid

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim today said many “unanswered questions” surrounding a Pardons Board decision to reduce Najib Abdul Razak’s prison term and fine has led to unhappiness across all parties.

Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Zaid claimed the government had failed in its supposed attempt to appease all quarters, including those seeking Najib’s immediate release.

“The Pardons Board’s decision is unsatisfactory to either party.

“For those who wanted to see Najib in jail for 12 years and for us, including me who believe he should be granted a full pardon,” said Zaid when met after a book launch today.

“The government tried to appease both parties. And so this is the problem,” said the veteran lawyer.

Yesterday, the Pardons Board announced that it had reduced Najib’s jail time from 12 years to six, which means the former prime minister would be released from prison on Aug 23, 2028.

In a meeting on Jan 29, the board also slashed the fine slapped on Najib from RM210 million to RM50 million.

Within the Federal Territories Pardons Board, the minister in charge, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, represented the government as one of its members, alongside Attorney-General Ahmad Terrirudin and three others appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

‘Yes’ or ‘no’ answer

Commenting further, Zaid said he believed the decision should have been made in accordance with Najib’s original application for a royal pardon, filed in September 2022, after he was convicted.

“If Najib had requested for a full pardon, the decision should either be a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’.

“And if he had requested a reduced sentence, of course, that is also possible,” he said.

Zaid noted that Zaliha had in response to criticisms over her role in the board said it was unfair to target an individual member for a collective decision.

However, Zaid reiterated calls for greater transparency in the decision-making process, including stands taken by Umno and other parties in government.

“How do we respect the process if we don’t know what is going on?

“The minister said it is a collective decision but what is the government’s position? What is Umno’s position?

“You can say it is collective but you cannot hide behind that,” he said.

Earlier today, the CSO Platform for Reform said the right to know the reasons behind the sentence reduction is enshrined in the Federal Constitution under Article 42(9), which mandates the disclosure of any written opinion submitted by the attorney-general to the Agong.

Loke urges for cool heads to prevail over Najib sentence reduction

COMMENT | Govt should take responsibility for Najib’s cut sentence

Bersih: Najib should serve full sentence

LETTER | It's a remission of sentence, Najib still guilty

Zaliha: Muda 'immature' to call for my sacking on Najib's case

COMMENT | Najib fiasco - another national embarrassment?