KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s bid to seek a royal pardon for former party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak will not affect its relationship with the unity government, said Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.
Khaled, who is Umno vice-president, said the party is seeking an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to present a pardon application for Najib out of respect for the former Pekan MP’s contribution to the party and the country.
“Umno understands that the pardon process is at the discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. In this regard, Datuk Seri Najib has gone through the court process, and out of respect for his past contributions, we are seeking a royal pardon for him.
“But this action will not affect our relationship within the unity government. It is a separate matter and one has got nothing to do with the other.
“We are merely acting out of respect to Najib’s past contributions, so it will not be an issue,’’ he said told reporters during a breaking of fast event at the World Trade Centre, here, this evening.
Khaled said party members believed Najib was not accorded a fair trial and this was further compounded due to the recent dissenting judgment in the recently concluded review application of his conviction on the SRC International Sdn Bhd scandal.
On March 31, a five-member bench of the apex court here rejected Najib’s review application in a non-unanimous ruling, effectively meaning the former prime minister will continue serving the remaining duration of his sentence in Kajang Prison.
Other members of the bench who made similar judgments were Federal Court judges Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang and Datuk Nordin Hassan, and Court of Appeal judge Datuk Abu Bakar Jais.
Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli made the sole dissenting decision.
Earlier today, Umno’s Supreme Council said they will be submitting an appeal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong urging for a full pardon to be granted to Najib.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said that the decision was reached during the party’s Supreme Council meeting earlier today. – The Vibes, April 7, 2023
Additional reporting by Qistina Nadia
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