KUALA LUMPUR – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa did not divulge much information on the status of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pardon petition, only saying “hopefully” that a statement would be released this week.
Zaliha consistently responded “Insya-Allah” (God willing) when repeatedly asked about the decision by the Pardons Board.
“Let’s just wait… Insya-Allah. Be patient. We’ll wait for the official statement (from the Pardons Board). Insya-Allah.”
When pressed if the Pardons Board would release a statement this week, she replied “hopefully”.
She was addressing the media after attending events in Putrajaya today, including Putrajaya Open Day 2024.
Just two days ago, Zaliha confirmed to the media that the Pardons Board had convened a meeting on January 29.
The media has been playing a guessing game over the possible outcome of the meeting, seeing that it was the last one before Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong ended on January 30.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil also repeatedly reminded the media to wait for the official statement and refrain from further speculation.
Yesterday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the status of Najib’s pardon petition was discussed “fleetingly” during the cabinet meeting on the same day.
However, Saifuddin, too, advised the media and the public to wait for an official statement from the Pardons Board.
Najib, 71, was found guilty by a high court for misappropriating RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd in July 2020, for which he was sentenced to 12 years’ jail and a RM210 million fine.
After repeatedly trying to get his guilty verdict and convictions overturned, Najib lost his appeal on September 2, 2022, when the Federal Court upheld the 2020 high court decision.
He filed a pardon petition on September 2, 2022. Currently, Najib is serving his jail sentence in Kajang Prison after his bid to review his sentence was dismissed by the Federal Court on March 31, last year. – February 1, 2024