Najib should be given full pardon, says Zaid

KUALA LUMPUR: The pardon for Datuk Seri Najib Razak should be based on his contributions to the country, says former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

Zaid said as a former prime minister, Najib should have been given full pardon.

“I personally think Najib should have been pardoned. The principle of the application should have been followed. If he had applied for a full pardon, then the answer should be ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. If he had asked for a reduction of his sentence, then they can do that or not,” said Zaid, who was also Najib’s former lawyer.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the launch of veteran Umno leader Tan Sri Shahrir Samad’s books Dendam Orang Menang (Vengeance of the Winners) and Keputusan Akhir (Final Decision) at a hotel here yesterday.

Zaid also said the Prime Minister should make public the process of the Pardons Board.

“The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) asked us to respect the process but how do we respect the process if we do not even know what went on?

“Pardons Board member (Federal Territories Minister) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said it was a collective decision.

“But what was the government’s decision? What was Umno’s position on the matter?” he said, adding that Umno speaking up for Najib’s pardon should not be seen as interfering with the board.