HOME Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the Cabinet has been briefly informed about the issue of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s pardon application.
According to him, the matter was deliberated upon briefly at the Cabinet meeting today as it does not fall under its ambit.
"We understand that this is under the (Pardons Board) because the pardon (process) is in the Constitution," he said.
"So we did discuss (regarding Najib's bid) but we understand that this is under the jurisdiction of the Pardons Board itself," he said during media conference at the Home Ministry headquarters in Putrajaya today.
Asked about whether the decision of the board will be announced, Saifuddin insisted that it is not within his purview.
Amid the frenzy of speculation on Najib, who is in prison due to a corruption conviction, most news outlets are awaiting the Pardons Board's official statement on the matter.
This comes after the board held a meeting at Istana Negara on Monday evening.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who was present at the meeting, told the media yesterday morning that a statement would be issued but did not specify when.
Meanwhile, a source close to the prime minister told The Vibes that throughout this process Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim left the decision on Najib to the Yang diPertuan Agong.
As a point of principle, Najib was the premier when Anwar was incarcerated a second time while in opposition.
“It would be wrong for him to move the needle the other way. We have to get used to the fact that we have a very principled prime minister now,“ said the source.
'Do not jump the gun'
At a separate press conference today, Communications MInister Fahmi Fadzil urged the media to be patient on the matter.
“I request local and foreign media to wait for the official announcement,” he said.
He said that he had met Channel News Asia (CNA) but was quick to add that he was not the source of the Singapore-based agency’s article today on the outcome of the Pardons Board's meeting.
“I request the cooperation of all media colleagues. Let’s not jump the gun,” Fahmi said.
Asked if a decision has been made, he said: “I cannot comment on that. That is something for the Pardons Board.”
Asked to comment on CNA’s report today quoting sources as claiming that Najib’s twelve-year jail sentence has been halved to six years, Fahmi stressed: “Wait for a statement.”
According to CNA, the board also decided to reduce the RM210 million fine meted on Najib to an unspecified amount.
This purported development however has not been verified or confirmed by the authorities.
It comes after another news portal yesterday retracted its article that Najib has been pardoned by the board. – The Vibes, January 31, 2024
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