News agency CNA revealed Wednesday that the top pardons board in Malaysia halved former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s 12-year sentence for corruption, embezzlement and money laundering through Malaysia’s state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The board has also reduced the imposed fine to 50 million ringgit ($10.6 million) from 210 million ringgit. Provided Razak pays this, he is expected to be released in August 2028 (failing this, he will remain incarcerated until 2029). This was confirmed Friday in an official statement by the Federal Territories Pardons Board’s secretariat.
This follows a lengthy legal process. Najib was originally charged with three counts of Criminal Breach of Trust (CBT) (as defined under Section 408 of the Malaysian Penal Code) and 1 count of power abuse). He was found guilty of all 7 counts on July 28, 2020. He received a sentence of 12 years incarceration and an RM210 million fine (or 5 years added to his sentence if he failed to pay) for power abuse, and 10 years in jail for each of the three CBT charges and the three money-laundering charges. All sentences were to be served concurrently. Najib and the prosecution both subsequently appealed, Najib against the conviction and sentences and the prosecution for heavier penalties. However, the prosecution’s appeal lapsed as the document was filed late, and Najib’s several appeals were all rejected. He finally applied for a royal pardon on September 2, which was just granted.
Royal pardons have long been a tradition in Malaysia, and do not require the board, chaired by the King, to give a reason for their decision. This decision was made under then-King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, whose term expired on January 31.
There have been mixed responses from the public. Positive reactions include that of Najib’s daughter, Nooryana Najwa Najib, who released an Instagram post saying the family appreciated the shortened sentence but maintained the ex-PM should be given a full pardon and immediate release. The post said, “Najib Razak and his family remain steadfast in our position and confidence that is innocent.” This sentiment was echoed by UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who himself received a full pardon for sexual misconduct offences in 2018, commented to Al-Jazeera that the pardons process is “beyond the Prime Minister and the government.” “We must respect the right of anyone convicted to appeal to the Pardons Board,” he said. Conversely, James Chin, professor of Asian studies at the University of Tasmania, commented to the BBC that the reduced sentence implies that leaders in South Asia are exempt from punishment: “If you reach a certain level in your career, nothing can happen to you.”
Najib is still facing three other ongoing criminal cases; including 25 counts of abuse of power and money laundering, three separate money laundering charges, and, along with Irwan Siregar Abdullah, six charges for misappropriating public funds.
