No-show by Najib’s children at book launch

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s daughter and son did not show up at a book launch at the Seri Pacific Hotel on Saturday (Feb 3).

The venue is next to the World Trade Centre where a special Umno supreme council meeting is ongoing to discuss the latest political developments in the country, particularly those linked to the Pardons Board’s decision to reduce Najib’s jail term.

Nooryana Najwa Najib and Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib were supposed to have attended the launch of two books “Dendam Orang Menang” (Vengeance of the Winners) and “Keputusan Akhir” (Final Decision).

The books were authored by veteran Umno leader Tan Sri Shahrir Samad, who was a former domestic trade and consumers affairs minister as well as former Johor Baru Umno division chief.

The first book narrates Shahrir’s fight against the charges that he had taken RM1mil from Najib while the second book details the SRC International case which involved Najib.

The duo failed to show up much to the dismay of Najib’s supporters and media who had gathered there.

Present at the book event were Shahrir and Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, who launched the book.

Najib’s former lawyer Datuk Zaid Ibrahim also attended the event.

The event, however, continued, despite the absence of the VIPs.

On Feb 2, the Pardons Board announced that it had decided to commute convicted former prime minister Najib’s jail term from 12 years to six.

According to a statement by the board, Najib will be released on Aug 23, 2028 and the fine has been reduced to RM50mil from RM210mil.

"However, if the fine is not paid, a year will be added to the jail term, and the release date will then be on Aug 23, 2029," said the Pardons Board secretariat.