Party to seek parole for ex-PM, or even house arrest, says supreme council’s Datuk Lokman Noor Adam
KUALA LUMPUR – Umno is set to criss-cross the nation in an effort to obtain signatures to appeal for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to get a full pardon.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam said the signatures, which will be gathered in the next few days, would be to appeal to the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong to reconsider the Pardons Board’s decision.
“We are saddened that (Najib) was not given a full pardon.
“Umno will work hard and collect signatures nationwide to appeal to the Agong to reconsider a royal pardon for (Najib),” he told reporters after leaving the Umno Supreme Council’s emergency meeting at its party headquarters here today.
Lokman added that the party would appeal for Najib to receive parole, or even be placed under house arrest.
For the signatures, he said the party will start by meeting with Umno division leaders to explain its “actual position”.
“We call for all Umno members to remain calm, this matter is not over yet. Our efforts will continue, and we ask all Malaysians to respect the decision by the (16th Agong) and the Pardons Board.”
Lokman also thanked party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his supposed effort in expediting the hearing for Najib’s pardon petition.
This came after Najib’s hearing was conducted a little over a year after his sentencing, despite royal pardons only being applicable after individuals serve a third of their sentences.
At the same time, Lokman hoped Anwar could “be with” Umno in its effort to seek justice for Najib, claiming that the former party president failed to get justice from the beginning.
Yesterday, the Pardons Board secretariat for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya announced that Najib was granted a reduced jail sentence and fine.
The former Umno president’s jail sentence was halved from 12 years to six years, while his fine was slashed from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Should Najib fail to pay the RM50 million fine, he would have to serve an additional year in prison in default.
News of his sentence reduction was met with mixed reactions.
Former Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil claimed that party leaders in the unity government were liars, while party Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Salleh merely said “we were played”.
Najib’s daughter Nooryana Najwa expressed disappointment with the decision, as her father should have been fully pardoned and immediately released from prison.
Today, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the cabinet had no influence in the board’s decision as the matter is final and cannot be challenged in court.
Najib began serving his prison sentence on August 23, 2022 after losing his final appeal at the Federal Court. He submitted his application for a royal pardon in September of the same year.
He was convicted by the high court in July 2020 of corruption involving RM42 million of funds belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd. – Scoop
