KUALA LUMPUR — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is said to be among 155 cases to be considered by the Federal Territories Pardons Board when it meets on September 11, just days before Malaysia Day.
The sheer number of cases on the agenda means Najib’s application will be considered alongside more than 100 other inmates seeking clemency, but his case is expected to draw particular attention given his political standing and the possibility of an early release.
A source familiar with the matter told Scoop that Najib’s name is among those on the list of cases to be submitted to the board, fuelling speculation that he could receive clemency in conjunction with Malaysia Day.
“Najib’s name is on the list of 155 cases being submitted to the Pardons Board. There is hope that, in conjunction with Malaysia Day, he will be granted clemency and allowed to return home. Many believe this would mark a symbolic moment of reconciliation for the country.”
An earlier report by The Straits Times noted that Najib’s bid for early release had been formally included in the Pardons Board’s agenda. The meeting will be chaired by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, together with members of the Pardons Board.
Najib is currently serving a six-year prison sentence at Kajang Prison after being convicted in 2020 for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
His original 12-year jail term and RM210 million fine were reduced by the Pardons Board in 2024, with the sentence halved to six years and the fine cut to RM50 million.
However, Najib’s legal battles extend beyond the SRC International case. He continues to face multiple charges linked to the wider 1MDB scandal, including abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving billions of ringgit.
His main 1MDB trial has also added further uncertainty to his legal position. In December last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court convicted him on four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving more than RM2 billion in 1MDB funds, resulting in another lengthy prison sentence and a multi-billion-ringgit fine. His legal team is appealing the decision.
Najib is also involved in bankruptcy proceedings initiated by the Inland Revenue Board over unpaid tax arrears amounting to RM1.73 billion, although the Court of Appeal granted him a temporary stay on the proceedings on September 4, 2026.
He also faces several civil lawsuits filed by 1MDB and its related entities seeking to recover funds allegedly lost through the scandal.
House arrest bid and addendum order controversy
Najib’s previous attempt to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest centred on an alleged royal addendum order issued by former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Najib had claimed that alongside the decision to reduce his sentence in 2024, an additional order had been issued allowing him to serve his sentence at home instead of in prison.
However, the High Court rejected the bid in 2025, ruling that any exercise of clemency powers must be carried out through the constitutional process involving the Pardons Board.
Najib later withdrew his appeal in April 2026, leaving a fresh clemency application as his main avenue for seeking relief.
Umno intensifies calls for release
Najib’s potential release has become a major talking point within Umno, where he remains an influential figure despite his imprisonment.
The party has continued to push for either a pardon or house arrest arrangement for its former president, with the issue expected to feature prominently during Umno’s Annual General Assembly from September 9 to 12.
The push has also created tension within the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as Pakatan Harapan leaders have stressed that individuals convicted of major corruption offences must face the consequences of their convictions to preserve public trust and uphold the rule of law.
The Pardons Board’s decision on September 11 could determine whether Najib receives further leniency, potentially paving the way for an earlier return home, or remains behind bars while his other legal battles continue. – September 9, 2026