KUALA KUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on those who do not feel sympathy for Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his family, in light of the High Court's decision, to refrain from actions that could exacerbate the situation.
Anwar emphasised that it was inappropriate to escalate tensions during this sensitive time and urged all parties to respond with patience and wisdom.
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“The High Court’s decision must be respected. The Madani government is firmly committed to upholding the rule of law and the separation of powers,” he stated in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 23).
He further expressed respect for the judge's decision, grounded in the principle of the sovereignty of the law.
“All parties should respect the judge's ruling, including the legal options available for appeal, as well as the possibility of seeking a pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in accordance with existing legal provisions,” he added.
Anwar's remarks followed the High Court’s ruling, which rejected former prime minister Najib’s application to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest. The court found that the royal addendum order on which Najib relied was constitutionally invalid.
High Court Judge Justice Alice Loke ruled that deliberation by the Pardons Board was crucial under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution. She noted that the addendum order was neither deliberated nor decided at the 61st Pardons Board meeting held on Jan 29, 2024.
This addendum order had been the basis for Najib’s judicial review application seeking approval to serve the remainder of his sentence at home in the SRC International case.
Currently, Najib is serving a prison sentence after being found guilty by the High Court of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving RM42mil siphoned from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.
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In this high-profile case, Najib has exhausted all avenues of appeal to overturn his conviction and sentence and has therefore applied for a royal pardon.
On April 1, 2024, Najib filed an application for leave for judicial review, claiming that a royal addendum order would have permitted him to serve his prison time under house arrest.
On Feb 2, 2025, the Pardons Board announced that Najib’s original 12-year jail sentence and RM210mil fine had been reduced to six years’ imprisonment and a RM50mil fine.
According to the Board’s statement, Najib was scheduled to be released on Aug 23, 2028, with the fine reduced from RM210mil to RM50mil.
