Malaysia reduces Najib’s jail time

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia’s Pardons Board said Friday that it has reduced ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak’s 12-year jail sentence by half and sharply cut a fine, less than two years into his sentence from a corruption case linked to the theft of billions of dollars from state coffers.

With the sentence commuted, Najib will be freed by Aug. 23, 2028, the board said in a statement. The board also cut Najib’s $44.5 million fine to about a quarter of that amount.

It is unclear whether Najib is still eligible for additional time off for good behavior. If so, he could be out as early as August 2026.

Despite his conviction, Najib is still influential in his party, the United Malays National Organization, which is now a member of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government that took power after 2022 general elections.

The Pardons Board didn’t explain why it commuted Najib’s sentence, nor why it waited until Friday to announce it. The board isn’t required to give any grounds for its action, which has prompted an outcry and triggered calls for the government to justify the move.

The board said it considered Najib’s application for a royal pardon at its meeting Monday and decided to reduce his sentence and fine after considering advice and opinions. The meeting was chaired by the country’s then-king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who is from Najib’s home state of Pahang. A new king took office on Wednesday under Malaysia’s unique rotating monarchy system.

The decision is seen to further hurt Anwar’s anti-corruption campaign, just months after prosecutors dropped 47 graft charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is the current UMNO party chief.

Anwar said Najib had gone through the process of law and has the right to appeal for a royal pardon. He said the king has the final say.