KUALA LUMPUR – The Umno Supreme Council has joined the chorus of Datuk Seri Najib Razak supporters in expressing its disappointment with the Pardons Board’s decision to only grant the former prime minister a reduced sentence in his corruption conviction.
In a statement distributed to the media after the party’s supreme council meeting today, it highlighted how its top party leaders had previously agreed that efforts to push for Najib’s defence must be continued.
“While Umno respects the federal constitution, we are deeply affected and saddened by the (Pardons Board’s) decision.
“We will continue efforts to secure justice (for Najib) based on the laws in the country while standing by the Umno general assembly’s decision to fight for (Najib).”
Based on the principles of justice, the council also said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would support the party’s attempts to defend Najib.
Umno’s top leaders had gathered at the party’s headquarters in Menara Dato’ Onn here for an emergency meeting at 11am today, following the Pardons Board secretariat for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya yesterday announcing that Najib was granted a reduced jail sentence and fine.
Najib’s jail sentence was halved from 12 years to six, while his fine was reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million.
He would have to serve an additional year in prison in default, should he fail to pay the fine.
News of his sentence reduction has been met with mixed reactions from differing sections, with his daughter Nooryana Najwa Najib saying while she “appreciates” the board’s decision, Najib should have been granted a full pardon, and an immediate release from prison.
Anwar has since said decisions made by the board are out of the government’s control, and that procedures undertaken by the board must be respected.
Najib began serving his prison sentence on August 23, 2022 after losing his final appeal at the Federal Court. He submitted his application for a royal pardon in September the same year.
The former Umno president was convicted by the high court in July 2020 of corruption involving RM42 million of funds belonging to SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd. – February 3, 2024