PM: Respect decision made by former King

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stated that all parties must respect the decision made by the Pardons Board in granting a reduction in the prison sentence and fine against former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the decision was made by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong and everyone has to respect it.

“I respect the decision of the then King. Now we have a new King. Whatever one feels, of course, it is very political, some support, some don’t. But they cannot ignore the fact that you must respect the rights of everyone convicted to appeal to the Pardons Board.

“Now the Pardons Board has made the decision. If one is satisfied then it’s fair; if not satisfied he or she still has the avenue to appeal at the later stage,” he said in an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher here on Friday.

Anwar said this when asked to comment on the decision on Najib’s pardon application.

Najib, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence, will be released earlier on Aug 23, 2028, after the Pardons Board decided to reduce his sentence by half.

Anwar said the King, as a constitutional monarch, consults the Attorney General, the Prime Minister and others.

“He is of course the bastion, and to uphold the constitution and the rule of law,” said the Prime Minister, adding that he believed that all considerations were taken into account before the decision was made.

Najib’s daughter, Nooryana Najwa, said the family appreciated the reduction of sentences, but her father should be fully pardoned and released.

Nooryana said that the family maintains their stand that Najib is innocent.

“While we appreciate the sentence reduction from 12 years to six years as decided by the Pardons Board following advice and views, we are disappointed that Najib did not receive full pardon and was released immediately,” she said in a statement.