Pengampunan lagi buat Najib berisiko hakis kepercayaan awam, kata aktivis

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, now 72 years old, is facing six years in prison and a fine of RM210 million for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International. The Presidential Council for Democracy and Human Rights (LPWP) is considering granting Najib another pardon, which has raised concerns from an activist and Transparency International Malaysia's president about its impact on public trust.

The activist, Thomas Fann, argues that granting another pardon would only reinforce the notion that powerful individuals with political connections can avoid full accountability for their actions. Fann also urged the LPWP to provide a full explanation for its decision to grant or deny pardons, stating that failure to do so would lead to a loss of credibility.

Transparency International Malaysia's president, Raymon Ram, emphasized that pardons are a valid institutional power that must be respected, but warned that granting another reduction in Najib's sentence would create serious concerns. He stated that if powerful individuals receive significantly different treatment after being found guilty, it risks creating a perception of a two-tier legal system, which would weaken public confidence in the rule of law.

Ram added that any further reduction in Najib's sentence could undermine Malaysia's efforts to fight corruption and the country's credibility depends on ensuring the same standards are applied to everyone.