Najib pardon call based on rule of law, says Anwar

Datuk Seri Najib Razak. -filepic

KERALAM: The deferment of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s petition for a pardon was made based on the rule of law, the Constitution and relevant advice, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“A prime minister, whoever he is, must give his views (to the Pardons Board) based on the law, on advice from the Attorney-Gene­ral and on the rules. That is what I did. However, we also know that this is within the discretion and authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“In the Pardons Board meeting, the King must of course, take all factors into consideration,” he told the Malaysian media at the conclusion of his working visit to India, Bernama reported.

Anwar said Najib’s pardon issue should not be viewed perso­nally, but instead assessed based on the principles of law and national governance.

“In carrying out this duty, we must submit to the principle of the rule of law and what has been agreed upon in the Constitution. I have never, for example, taken a prejudiced or hateful stance. No,” he said.

On Sept 11, the Pardons Board had deferred the former prime minister’s pardon application to a future meeting.

The 73-year-old Najib was ­convicted of misapropriating RM42mil belonging to SRC Inter­national and sentenced to 12 years in prison, along with a RM210mil fine. The Pardons Board subsequently halved his prison term to six years and reduced the fine to RM50mil.

On another matter, Anwar said he has chosen a moderate app­roach in handling differing views regarding the issue of cooperation with Umno within the unity government. The Pakatan Hara­pan chairman said the government must remain stable because any overly harsh actions concer­ning the issue could result in ­losses for the country.

“I choose a somewhat mode­rate path because what is important is that the government must be stable, otherwise there will be losses for our country.

“For me, that is what is important, and I see that, for example, is also the voice we hear including from Umno,” he said when asked for his views regarding several issues raised at the 2026 Umno general assembly recently.