PUTRAJAYA: The proposed declassification of Pardons Board meeting minutes relating to Datuk Seri Najib Razak was not raised directly at Friday's (Nov 13) Cabinet meeting, but the process is being arranged in accordance with legal requirements, says Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
The Madani government spokesman and Communications Minister said several legal considerations had to be taken into account before the documents could be declassified.
“The matter was not raised directly during today’s Cabinet meeting, but I understand that the process is being arranged.
“There are several legal considerations that must be taken into account, and the necessary arrangements are being made to ensure compliance with the relevant legal requirements.
“The Cabinet has sought the Attorney General’s advice on the matter.
“Nevertheless, the intention is there, and it will go through the necessary processes,” Fahmi told a post-Cabinet press conference here on Friday.
The Federal Territories Pardons Board had on Jan 29, 2024 reduced Najib's 12-year jail sentence in the SRC International case to six years and his RM210mil fine to RM50mil.
The decision was announced on Feb 2, 2024.
On Sept 18 this year, Najib was granted a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his SRC sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to the payment of the RM50mil fine and other conditions.
Umno announced on Nov 6 that it had completed payment of the fine to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
The proposed declassification concerns the Pardons Board minutes relating to the Sept 18 conditional pardon and house-arrest arrangement.
On Thursday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he would propose to the Cabinet that the minutes be declassified after the suggestion was raised in Dewan Rakyat by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Saifuddin Nasution said making the minutes public could provide a clearer and more transparent picture of the Pardons Board's decision-making process.
