Najib’s conditional pardon: Time for DAP to take a strong stance

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — Fadhlina Sidek, Deputy Minister of Education and PKR Wanita chief, has clarified that the conditional pardon granted to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is the sovereign prerogative of the King, not a decision made by Anwar Ibrahim or Pakatan Harapan. As Education Minister, Fadhlina emphasized that the decision to grant a pardon falls under the jurisdiction of the King as per the Federal Constitution.

In a Facebook post, she urged Malaysians to respect the Constitutional Monarchy and recognized that political differences must not obscure the Constitution's role in this matter.

Fadhlina acknowledged that the pardon would likely provoke various reactions, including disappointment and anger from certain quarters. She stressed that the government bears the responsibility of explaining the decision to the public, noting that accepting the pardon does not imply a change in PKR's stance on corruption and abuse of power.

The King, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, granted the conditional pardon on September 19, allowing Najib to serve his remaining sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, provided he pays a RM50 million fine. The decision was made at the 64th Meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya at Istana Negara.