PETALING JAYA: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, following the decision allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
In a statement Friday (Sept 18), Zahid said the development was deeply meaningful to Najib and his family as well as the wider Umno family, who had continued to hope and pray for such an outcome.
“On behalf of the entire Umno leadership and membership, I humbly offer our deepest gratitude to His Majesty.
“Umno holds in the highest regard His Majesty’s wisdom and discretion and expresses our sincerest appreciation for His Majesty’s grace,” he said on Friday.
Zahid said Umno welcomed the decision with gratitude, adding that the party had from the outset pursued the matter through the proper channels.
“Umno’s position from the outset was to submit this application with due process and humility through the channels provided.
“Respect for the institution of the monarchy, the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law will continue to be our guiding principles,” he said.
He said the development would bring great relief to Najib and his family and would be remembered with deep appreciation by the wider Umno family.
“His Majesty’s grace brings immense relief to Najib and his family and will always be remembered with deep appreciation by the entire Umno family,” he said.
Zahid also called on Umno members to receive the development with gratitude, observe decorum in their remarks and respect all established processes.
He said Umno would also launch a contribution fund to help Najib settle the RM50mil fine imposed on him.
“Umno is also taking the initiative to launch a contribution fund to help ease the burden on Najib in settling the RM50mil fine imposed on him,” he said.
Zahid then called on the party’s leadership, members and supporters, as well as others who wished to extend their support, to contribute voluntarily through an initiative that would be carried out transparently, systematically and in compliance with all applicable rules and laws.
The decision was made at the 64th meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya on Friday (Sept 18), a week after the board deferred Najib’s pardon application at its Sept 11 meeting.
Najib was granted a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of a RM50mil fine and compliance with the conditions imposed.
