Pardons Board did not exonerate Najib, but a thumbs up to the independence of courts, says PKR MP

PETALING JAYA: The Pardons Board’s decision not to pardon former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is a clear signal to the courts to uphold justice without fear or fervour, said Pakatan Harapan MP Hassan Karim of PKR.

He also said the decision to halve Najib’s prison sentence from 12 years to six years and reduce his fine from RM210mil to RM50mil did not exonerate Najib in any way of his conviction.

In a statement on his Facebook on Feb 2, the Pasir Gudang MP said: “The basic matter that should be looked at is that the Pardons Board continued to respect the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Federal Court which had found Najib guilty and that conviction was not given a pardon.

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“As a member of the Corruption Committee under the purview of Section 14, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, the decision of the Pardons Board against the cases involving corruption and abuse of power in the SRC International case will uphold the spirit of the Unity Government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to further resolve its commitment to eradicate corruption in Malaysia.

“This decision sends a clear signal to the courts to continue its independence in upholding the laws without fear or fervour.

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He also said whether we agree or disagree, the decision of the Pardons Board

“Whether we agree or disagree, the decision of the Pardons Board chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong cannot be challenged in court,” he added.

He also said the decision is completely the King’s prerogative. This is the reality we have to accept as a country with parliamentary democracy which still has some remnants of the feudal system in the constitutional monarchy.

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“It must be realised that the Pardons Board chaired by the King is a “court of mercy” and not a “court of laws.

“I respect and accept wholeheartedly the decision of the Pardons Board as in reality, the Board did not pardon him for his convictions as upheld by the courts,” said Hassan.