Individu sabit rasuah perlu jalani hukuman penuh, kata PH

Pakatan Harapan (PH) has stressed that individuals accused of electoral offenses or misuse of power, particularly those with high profiles, must serve their full sentences of imprisonment. In a statement released late at night by the Council of Senior Advisors, PH expressed full support for the Madani government's efforts to combat corruption, deceit, and misuse of power.

They also emphasized the importance of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in ensuring that every case is thoroughly investigated without compromise. As a political coalition advocating for institutional reform, PH believes that any individual found guilty of electoral offenses or misuse of power, especially those involving high-profile cases, should serve the entirety of their sentence imposed by the courts.

They reiterated the need for the ongoing trials to be conducted with due process and freedom, without any perception that the proceedings have been influenced by other considerations. PH also stressed the importance of these trials for Malaysia's recovery phase, to strengthen governance and restore public trust in the national institutions.

They reiterated their commitment to upholding the Constitution, respecting national institutions, and maintaining the reform principles, despite facing pressure from various quarters. The statement did not name any specific cases or individuals, but came in response to a recent report that the Federal Kuala Lumpur Committee was scheduled to sit on September 11 to consider the appeal of former Prime Minister Najib Razak for pardon related to the 1MDB scandal.

Sin Chew Daily reported that Minister for Federal Territories Hannah Yeoh, who serves on the Federal Kuala Lumpur Committee presided over by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, had acceded to the PH's request during a meeting with the party's presidential delegation on a Tuesday. Najib, 72, was convicted six years ago for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International, fined RM210 million, and sentenced to 12 years in prison, which he has served since August 23, 2022.

The Federal Kuala Lumpur Committee subsequently reduced his sentence by half to six years and lowered his fine to RM50 million. Najib will be tried again in December 2025 for misuse of power and conversion of illegal funds involving more than RM2 billion linked to 1MDB. He is currently appealing for his sentence to be carried out.