Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak’s jail sentence for corruption has been allegedly reduced from 12 to six years by the Pardons Board, CNA reported on 31 January.
Here’s what happened.
Najib’s Crime Leading to Imprisonment
In 2015, around 227,000 leaked documents were provided to the Wall Street Journal and activist blogger Clare Rewcastle-Brown, who writes Sarawak Report.
The documents showed that Malaysia’s former premier Najib Razak had channeled over RM 2.67 billion (approximately SGD$756 million) into his personal bank accounts from sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Established by Najib in his first year in office, 1MDB sought to make strategic investments to alleviate poverty in Malaysia.
The scandal, which implicated institutions and individuals in a number of nations, was declared by the United States Department of Justice as the “largest kleptocracy case to date” in 2016.
Because of 1MDB, investigations opened up in countries such as Australia, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and more.
It was later found that more than SGD$6 billion had been diverted from 1MDB, which was used to purchase luxury items and properties, including the famous superyacht Equanimity, which was later seized by authorities and sold to the Genting Group at SGD$170 million in 2019.
The 1MDB funds allegedly financed lavish lifestyles for Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor, and established Najib’s stepson Riza Aziz in Hollywood.
The shocking revelations became a major political controversy in Malaysia, resulting in an uproar of negative sentiments and protests.
When multiple Malaysian investigations were opened, Najib dismissed some of his critics from government positions. Charges against Najib were subsequently dismissed.
Following the 2018 election, the newly elected PM, Mahatir Mohamed, reopened investigations into the scandal.
Najib, among 11 others, was barred from leaving the country.
The police seized cash and valuable items amounting to between SGD$254 million and SGD$310 million from property linked to Najib and his wife.
Najib was subsequently charged with criminal breach of trust, money laundering, and abuse of power. He was later found guilty of seven charges connected to SRC International, a 1MDB subsidiary, and was sentenced to twelve years’ imprisonment.
He began serving his prison term in August 2022 after two failed appeals to overturn his conviction at a Malaysian High Court in 2020.
Partial Royal Pardon: Najib’s Jail Sentence May Be Reduced From 12 to Six Years
After Najib’s two appeals failed, he applied for a royal pardon in September 2022.
CNA reported that following the Pardons Board’s meeting on 29 January 2024, Najib’s sentence has been reduced from 12 to six years.
This partial royal pardon, referring to an official order given by a king to stop an accused’s punishment, includes a reduction in Najib’s RM 210 million (SGD$59 million) fine to an unspecified amount.
The reduction of his sentence means that Najib, 70, is expected to complete his sentence in August 2028.
In the event that Najib is granted parole for good behaviour, he could be released in August 2026.
The meeting was one of Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin’s last official tasks before he stepped down as Malaysia’s king on 31 January as part of Malaysia’s rotating monarchy.
Nine of Malaysia’s 13 states are ruled by a traditional ethnic Malay ruler, mostly known as the sultan. Every five years, the nine rulers elect one among themselves to be Malaysia’s king through a secret ballot.
Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in a press conference that although the Cabinet discussed Najib’s royal pardon request, it is ultimately up to the Pardons Board to announce its decision.
The Pardons Board, led by the King, includes the Attorney-General or their delegate, the Federal Territories Minister, and up to three additional members selected by the King.
Under the federal constitution, the King possesses the authority to pardon convicts.
The decision to pardon, including options like absolving Najib, reducing his jail sentence, or allowing early release, rests entirely with the King.
While the Federal Constitution mandates that the Pardons Board advises the King, he is not obligated to follow their counsel and retains complete discretion over granting pardons.
At another press conference, Communications Minister and government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said “Let’s not jump the gun. Let us wait for an official statement to be made and follow that due process”.
Just two years ago, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was granted a full royal pardon by Malaysia’s then-king, Sultan Muhammad V.
Anwar was jailed in 2015 following the guilty verdict in his sodomy case.
He was released in 2018 after receiving a full royal pardon.