REPORTS that the fate of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak could come before the Federal Territories Pardons Board as early as Friday have caught many off guard, including Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
High-placed sources revealed that the Prime Minister was upset by the reports, as he had not been notified in advance that the Pardons Board would meet to consider whether Najib should serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
"The Prime Minister was very upset as he was not informed that the board is scheduled to meet on Sept 11 and will be chaired by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
"He only got to know on Monday when it was raised at a PH leadership meeting," said the source.
The meeting was initially convened to discuss preparations for the Melaka state election, when Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh briefed them on the matter.
"However, the prime minister was informed that the King has agreed to proceed with the meeting, so we believe it will be held as reported," said the source.
The issue comes at a politically sensitive time for Umno, which is holding its annual general assembly and preparing for the next general election, which must be held by 2027.
Najib, 73, is serving a six-year prison sentence after the Pardons Board halved his original 12-year term for the SRC International case in 2024.
His fine was also reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million.
He has maintained that the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, had issued an additional decree allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
That alleged addendum has been at the centre of a legal battle.
The High Court ruled last year that the order could not be enforced, finding that it had not been considered by the Pardons Board as required under the constitutional process.
There is also no specific provision under Malaysian law for house arrest as an alternative to imprisonment.
Najib was also separately found guilty in December 2025 on four charges of abuse of power and 21 money-laundering charges involving more than RM2 billion in funds linked to 1MDB.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay a RM11.38 billion fine. He is appealing against the conviction.
A fresh decision by the Pardons Board could therefore provide a different legal basis for any further clemency granted to Najib.
The Straits Times earlier reported that sources familiar with the meeting were quoted as saying Yeoh and the Attorney General would oppose further clemency for Najib.
The final decision, however, lies with the King within the constitutional framework governing the Pardons Board.
The Federal Territories board covers Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan. Besides the King, it comprises the Attorney General, the federal territories minister and three other members appointed by the King on the advice of the government.
Najib’s case has remained politically charged since his conviction.
The SRC International case was linked to the wider 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal, which became a major issue in the 2018 general election that ended Barisan Nasional’s six-decade hold on federal power.
Despite being behind bars, Najib continues to command support among sections of Umno and the wider Malay electorate.
His standing within the party is particularly relevant now as Umno reassesses its position ahead of the next general election. – September 10, 2026
