WOW! ANWAR SO 'COMPASSIONATE' TO CUT NAJIB'S JAIL TERM & FINE - EVEN DARES TELL THE PEOPLE TO 'STOP THE DEMANDS' FOR EXPLANATION - YET IN TRUE 'TIN KOSONG' FASHION, HIDES BEHIND AGONG'S FOR 'ROYAL' DECISION - EVEN THOUGH HE PLAYED KEY ROLE AS PM TO "ENSURING" PARDON PLEA GOT HEARD - SO WHY ISN'T ANWAR AS 'MERCIFUL' TO DAIM & MAHATHIR - OR WILL THEY TELL HIM TO FLY KITES, NOT BEING AS DESPERATE AS HIMSELF & HIS 'PAL' NAJIB
Anwar: Najib's pardon in line with process, key factor was compassion
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the hearing given by the Pardons Board to ex-premier Najib Abdul Razak’s royal pardon application was in line with the given process and that there was no expediting of the appeal.
He also denied suggestions that a convict would need to serve at least three years of his sentence before his pardon application can be considered.
“Anyone can apply in line with the given process. In this case, the application was made, and it is true that as prime minister I ensured that it was heard.
“So, I acknowledge responsibility for that,” Anwar said in his speech at the Prime Minister’s Department’s monthly assembly.
Stop the demands
He said the main consideration was not legal but the compassion of the outgoing king Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, and that the decision was final.
“The main consideration was about mercy and compassion. The decision by the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong is final and it is based on significant considerations, not just the law.
“Therefore, the process of justice and primary consideration are a matter of (the former king’s) discretion. Let’s calm down. Let’s accept what has been provided in the Federal Constitution,” he said.
He urged against demanding explanations from the Pardons Board that was chaired by the Agong, as the final decision ultimately rests with him.
“Whether his Majesty chooses to explain or not is within his prerogative,” said the prime minister, according to Bernama.
On Feb 3, Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam said his party was grateful to Anwar for an earlier hearing of Najib’s petition.
Najib was originally sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Kuala Lumpur High Court over the RM42 million SRC International corruption case. He was also fined RM210 million.
His conviction and punishments were upheld in the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court subsequently.
The Pardons Board commuted his sentence by half when it met on Jan 29, while the fine was reduced to RM50 million.
While the reduced sentence places his release date in August 2028, Najib could be released earlier on “good behaviour” in August 2026 after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
Mkini
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