Najib’s conditional pardon does not erase conviction, Umno told

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has been granted a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest. However, analysts argue that Umno must ensure its support for the pardon does not undermine the conviction of Najib in the SRC International case. Tawfik Yaakub, from Universiti Malaya, emphasized that the pardon should not be seen as erasing Najib's conviction, while stressing the importance of defending against wrongdoings committed during his tenure.

Umno has set up a fund to assist Najib in paying the fine, but Tawfik stressed the need to differentiate between personal support for Najib and addressing the weaknesses in checks and balances during the party's rule. The issue has sparked differing perceptions among Umno supporters and other voters, with some rural Malays viewing Najib's assistance as a symbol of solidarity, while many urban and non-Malay voters see his sentence as deserved.