KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has vowed to continue its fight for Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying it will use every constitutional and legal avenue available to seek justice for the former prime minister.
Its secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Umno hoped the application for Najib's pardon would be considered at the next Pardons Board meeting without unnecessary delay.
"For Umno, the struggle to seek justice for Najib is not an attempt to challenge the institution or the legal process.
"Instead, the party will continue to use every avenue available under the Federal Constitution and the law to ensure that his right to fair consideration is fully upheld," he said in a statement on Friday (Sept 11).
Asyraf also said said Umno took note of the government's official statement that Najib's pardon application had been deferred to a future meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.
Asyraf added that Umno fully respected the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and all processes concerning the power of pardon provided for under the constitution.
He said the Umno's efforts to seek justice for Najib were not an attempt to challenge the institution or the legal process.
"Instead, Umno will continue to use every avenue available under the constitution and the law to ensure that his right to fair consideration is fully upheld," he said.
Asyraf also urged all parties to remain calm, respect the institution of the Malay Rulers and refrain from taking any action that could jeopardise the ongoing process.
"Umno will not stop fighting for justice. We will continue to pursue the matter through constitutional, legal and legitimate institutional channels until all processes concerning Najib have been given due consideration," he said.
The Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya on Friday deferred Najib's pardon application to a future meeting.
At the same meeting, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia consented to the release of 65 prisoners on Friday.
Najib, 73, was convicted of misappropriating RM42mil belonging to SRC International and sentenced to 12 years in prison, along with a RM210mil fine.
He began serving his sentence at Kajang Prison on Aug 23, 2022.
The Pardons Board subsequently halved his prison term to six years and reduced the fine to RM50mil.
On Dec 22, then High Court judge Justice Alice Loke, now a Court of Appeal judge, dismissed Najib's application to serve the remainder of his reduced sentence under house arrest.
Najib later withdrew his appeal against the decision.
