Zahid: It is up to the King to make decision on pardon
UMNO leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the decision regarding a potential pardon for Najib Razak rests solely with the King. The party maintains that it respects the royal prerogative, drawing comparisons to the previous pardon granted to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing political tension regarding judicial independence and the use of royal clemency in high-profile corruption cases.
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will leave it to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to decide whether former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should be granted a pardon, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the party could only hope for the best ahead of the Pardons Board meeting.
“The authority ultimately lies with the King, through His Majesty’s wisdom and sole discretion,” he said. Ahmad Zahid was responding to questions on his expectations ahead of the Federal Territories Pardons Board meeting today.
The meeting is expected to consider Najib’s clemency bid.
Najib, 72, is currently serving a six-year jail sentence after being convicted of misappropriating RM42mil belonging to SRC International.
He was originally sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210mil.
In 2024, the Pardons Board subsequently halved his prison term to six years and reduced the fine to RM50mil.
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