FORMER prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's prison sentence and fine have been reduced, the secretary of the Pardons Board announced today.
This means that he will be released on August 23, 2028, which is much earlier than what was set before.
The Pardons Board also decided at its meeting on January 29 to cut the fine imposed on him from RM210 million to RM50 million.
If the fine is not paid, one year will be added to his remaining time in jail, which means that he would then be released on August 23, 2029.
A statement on this was issued this afternoon by the secretary of the Pardons Board of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, under the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department.
The board meeting that was held last Monday night was chaired by the then Yang diPertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Mustafa Billah Shah.
Al-Sultan Abdullah's reign as Malaysia's king ended the next day as he completed his five-year tenure under the rotation system among the rulers.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim of Johor has since ascended the throne to reign for the next five-year period.
The statement said that five pardon applications, including the request by Najib, were considered by the board during the meeting.
"After deliberation and advice, the board decided to grant a 50% reduction in both the sentence and the fine imposed on Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak.
"Consequently, he is approved for early release on August 23, 2028, with the fine reduced from RM210,000,000.00 to RM50,000,000.00," it said
It stressed that if the fine is not paid, Najib's prison term will be extended by one year, with the new release date on August 23, 2029.
The announcement puts to rest frenzied speculation on the outcome of the board meeting.
A news portal had on Tuesday retracted its article that Najib was pardoned by the board.
Prior to the board's decision, Najib was serving a 12-year jail term for corruption involving SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.
The former Umno president and ex-Pekan MP was also required to pay a RM210 million fine.
He began his sentence on August 24, 2022 after failing to have his conviction and sentence overturned by the Federal Court.
Then, on March 31 last year, the Federal Court rejected his review application challenging its decision to uphold his guilty verdict and 12-year jail sentence. – The Vibes, February 2, 2024
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