UMNO respects the decision by former Yang diPertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Mustafa Billah Shah to reduce Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s sentence, even if he did not get a full pardon.
“While we uphold the Federal Constitution, Umno is saddened by the decision,” it said in a statement, adding that they would continue the fight to free the former Umno president “based on provisions of the law."
"This is also in line with the decision made at the last Umno general assembly to continue defending Najib," it said after a four-hour supreme council meeting at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Yesterday, the Pardons Board said the former prime minister's prison sentence and fine had been reduced.
This means that Najib 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 will then be released on August 23, 2029.
Umno also said that efforts for Najib are being undertaken as the party believes he did not receive the justice he deserved since the beginning of his court hearing involving his case related to SRC International.
"On the principle of justice, we hope that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also sits on the Board, will “uphold” the party’s efforts to deliver justice for Najib," added Umno. - The Vibes, February 3, 2024
