Hannah Yeoh confirms Pardons Board meeting as speculation over Najib’s bid mounts

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 — Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB) Chair Hannah Yeoh has announced a meeting the following morning, with the specifics of the agenda remaining undisclosed. Speaking to reporters post an event, Yeoh affirmed the meeting's occurrence at 8:30am, but refrained from elaborating on the board's intended discussions.

The FT previously disclosed that the application of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was anticipated to be a central topic within this week's board session. The board's future decision-making process, whether to make an immediate ruling or stick to preliminary deliberations, remains uncertain. There's also speculation that the board may explore the option of Najib serving his prison term under house arrest during the meeting, though its formal inclusion is yet to be determined.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed optimism for a favorable outcome for Najib's application. The 72-year-old Najib was convicted of embezzling RM42 million from SRC International and fined RM210 million, serving his original 12-year sentence at Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022. In 2024, the FT Pardons Board reduced his sentence to six years and the fine to RM50 million.

However, Najib and his legal team continued to contest this partial pardon, arguing for his remaining sentence to be completed at home. This dispute culminated in the High Court's dismissal of Najib's appeal against the reduced sentence on December 22, with his appeal against the decision being withdrawn in April.