KUALA LUMPUR: The majority of motions received from Umno divisions during the party’s general assembly are for the release of former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, says Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi.
The Umno secretary-general said a total of 72 divisions submitted a motion demanding a full pardon for the former prime minister, who has been behind bars since August 2022.
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"The Umno headquarters has received 171 motions from 191 divisions across the country. The most frequent motion calls for a full pardon and release for Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"We will continue to voice out and find ways as long as bossku (Najib) is behind 'steel curtains'. Please grant your utmost trust and confidence to our top leadership," he said during his speech at the 2024 Umno General Assembly here on Thursday (Aug 23).
Asyraf said the motion for a full pardon for Najib should be in accordance with Article 42 of the Federal Constitution.
The provision under Article 42 is the power to grant pardons, reprieves, and respites without prejudice to the power to remit, suspend, or commute sentences conferred by federal or state law.
Najib began his 12-year prison term when the Federal Court upheld his sentence and fine of RM210mil.
He was charged with abusing SRC International Sdn Bhd’s funds amounting to RM42mil.
Umno has been vocal in its efforts to defend Najib in line with the decision made in the last annual general assembly, stating that the former Pekan MP was not granted justice during his trial.
On Feb 2, the Pardons Board announced that it had decided to commute Najib's jail term from 12 years to six, with a release date of Aug 23, 2028, and to reduce his fine from RM210mil to RM50mil.
