Najib Pardon Appeal
Malaysia Court to Rule on Najib Pardon Appeal in January
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Key Points
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The Malaysian Bar filed its judicial-review application on April 26, 2024, naming the Federal Territories Pardons Board for Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, as well as Najib Razak, as respondents.
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The appeal was heard by a three-member Court of Appeal panel comprising Justices Lim Chong Fong, Azhahari Kamal Ramli and Leonard David Shim, which reserved its decision after hearing arguments on July 31.
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Najib submitted his petition for a royal pardon on Sept. 2, 2022; the petition resulted in the Pardons Board halving his prison sentence and reducing the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
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Before seeking to challenge the pardon reduction, Najib had exhausted the appeal process: the Federal Court upheld his conviction and sentence in August 2022, and dismissed his subsequent review application in March 2023.
Malaysia's Court of Appeal will decide on January 7 whether the Malaysian Bar can challenge the government's decision to cut Najib Razak's prison sentence in half. Newswav reported that Najib, the former prime minister, currently cannot afford to pay the RM50 million fine tied to his reduced sentence. The ruling concerns only whether the Bar may proceed — not whether the pardon decision itself was legal.
Najib was imprisoned for stealing RM42 million from state investment fund SRC International. A pardon board cut his 12-year sentence to six years and reduced his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million in January 2024. The High Court already rejected the Bar's challenge in November 2024, but the Bar is appealing that decision.
The Bar's Bid to Challenge the Pardon
The Malaysian Bar filed a judicial-review application on April 26, 2024, asking the court to overturn the Pardons Board's decision. The Bar argues the pardon was illegal, unconstitutional, and void. A three-judge Court of Appeal panel heard the case on July 31 and reserved judgment. The January 7 ruling will determine only whether the Bar can proceed with its substantive case.
Najib's Original Conviction and Appeals
Reuters reported that Najib asked the court to suspend his 15-year jail sentence for graft and money laundering related to the massive 1MDB scandal. He exhausted the normal appeals process before seeking a pardon. The Federal Court upheld his conviction and sentence in August 2022, then dismissed his review application in March 2023.
Najib submitted his royal pardon petition on September 2, 2022. The Pardons Board approved it in January 2024, halving his prison time and slashing the fine by more than 75%. He was recently granted conditional permission to serve his remaining sentence under house arrest.
Najib's Financial Struggle With the Fine
The RM50 million fine is central to Najib's house arrest arrangement, but Newswav reports he cannot currently pay it. His lawyer said the fine remains outstanding. Without payment, Najib's ability to remain under house arrest may be jeopardized, keeping him in actual prison instead. The government has not announced plans to waive or reduce the fine further.
What Happens Next at the Court of Appeal
The three-judge panel — Justices Lim Chong Fong, Azhahari Kamal Ramli, and Leonard David Shim — will decide whether the Bar has standing to pursue its case. A "yes" ruling opens the door to a full judicial review of the Pardons Board's decision. A "no" ruling ends the Bar's legal challenge. Either way, the decision directly affects Najib's freedom and his fine.
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