BUTTERWORTH: Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says he hopes former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak will be given a Royal Pardon.
The Umno president said Najib had already served three years in prison and deserves to be considered for a full pardon.
However, Ahmad Zahid urged patience and to allow the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who chairs the Federal Territories Pardons Board, to make the decision.
"When the Pardons Board is called to decide on Najib, we are confident that the King, as a fair and compassionate ruler, will give proper consideration,' he said, adding that the sentence was not just for punishment but also corrective.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, said this during the Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party annual general assembly in The Light Hotel on Sunday (Dec 21).
Describing himself as a "true friend" of Najib, said he would continue to advocate for the former prime minister.
"I sincerely hope and pray that Datuk Seri Najib will be granted a pardon in the near future," he said.
Ahmad Zahid's remarks come a day before the Kuala Lumpur High Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on the royal addendum issue, which could allow Najib to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.
Najib was convicted of misappropriating RM42mil from SRC International and has been serving his sentence at Kajang prison since Aug 23, 2022.
He applied for a royal pardon on Sept 2, 2022.
On February 2, 2024, the Pardons Board announced that his prison term had been reduced from 12 years to six, while his fine was cut from RM210mil to RM50mil.
Under the Federal Constitution, the King has the prerogative to grant pardons under Articles 42(1) and (2), based on the advice of the Pardons Board, for offences committed within the Federal Territories.
