Former Malaysia PM Najib to remain in jail as pardons board defers application
The Federal Territories Pardons Board met on Friday (Sep 11) but deferred Najib’s application for a pardon to a future meeting. Najib is currently in Kajang Prison and scheduled to complete his current jail term on Aug 23, 2028.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's application for a pardon remains on hold as the Federal Territories Pardons Board deferred his case to a future meeting. He is currently serving his sentence in Kajang Prison and expected to complete it on August 23, 2028. The pardon board, presided over by Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, also decided to release 65 prisoners on September 11.
Non-citizens will be repatriated to their home countries within six months of their release. The board consists of the Attorney-General, Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh, and three other members. Najib received a partial royal pardon in January 2024, which reduced his initial 12-year sentence and fine to RM50 million. Despite this, he insists that the previous king, Sultan Abdullah, issued an addendum order that he should serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, a ruling the High Court deemed unenforceable.
Najib, 73, was initially sentenced to 12 years and RM210 million in 2020 for criminal breach of trust, money laundering, and abuse of power, all related to the 1MDB scandal.
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Also reported by 3 other outlets
- Pardons Board defers Najib's pardon application to future sitting nst.com.my
- Najib’s pardon application deferred again thevibes.com
- Najib's pardon application postponed malaysiakini.com
