Bersih questions fairness of granting house arrest to Najib

PETALING JAYA: House arrest sentences are only granted to prisoners involved in minor offences, namely those serving prison sentences of four years or below, through the Licenced Prisoner Release Programme (PBSL), says the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih).

"If prisoners involved in serious crimes like Datuk Seri Najib Razak are granted the privilege of house arrest, it would be fairer for this privilege to be extended to other prisoners who are in greater need, particularly female prisoners who have young children,” said Bersih.

Bersih was referring to the former prime minister's claims regarding the existence of additional terms or addendums in the royal pardon by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which would allow him to serve the remaining six years of his prison sentence under house arrest.

"Bersih emphasises that the principle of equal justice under the law must always be upheld as the primary principle to preserve the sovereignty of the country's legal system," said Bersih in a statement on Friday (April 5).

"At the same time, if there indeed exists an additional section or addendum dated Jan 29, 2024, as claimed by him, why was this not disclosed by the lawyer earlier?

"These latest allegations seem to set a new precedent; official Pardon's Board decisions have been finalised and may be altered at any time," added Bersih.