Pardons Board Defers Najib’s Application

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s application for a pardon has been deferred to a future meeting of the Pardons Board.

The decision was made at the 63rd meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya held today.

The matter was confirmed by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department in a statement.

According to the statement, Sultan Ibrahim also consented to the release of 65 prisoners at the same meeting today.

All non-Malaysian prisoners who are released must be deported and repatriated to their respective countries of origin within six months of their release, the statement said.

The Pardons Board meeting covered the three Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

MalaysiaGazette reported on Sept 8 that the Pardons Board was expected to meet on Friday, with an application related to Najib’s house arrest believed to be among the matters likely to receive attention.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh had earlier confirmed that the Pardons Board was scheduled to meet at 8.30am, but declined to comment further on the meeting’s agenda.

However, MalaysiaGazette reported yesterday that it understood the agenda concerning Najib’s application had been deferred to a future meeting.

Earlier, it was reported that the Pardons Board began its meeting at 8.30am today, chaired by Sultan Ibrahim.

For the record, the Pardons Board also considered Najib’s application during its 61st meeting on Jan 29, 2024.

The Pardons Board Secretariat subsequently announced on Feb 2, 2024, that the former Pekan MP’s prison sentence had been reduced from 12 years to six years, while his fine was reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million.

MalaysiaGazette