Najib Razak, Malaysia's former Prime Minister, currently serves a 12-year jail sentence for corruption and money laundering charges stemming from the infamous 1MDB scandal. However, a new legal battle unfolds as Najib seeks to serve his sentence under house arrest. The High Court is set to hear this controversial appeal, following a ruling from the Court of Appeal that allows Najib to pursue his bid.
The former Prime Minister's lawyer claims to possess a written declaration from the previous king, suggesting that Najib should complete his sentence at home. This revelation has sparked a contentious debate, drawing accusations from Najib's supporters against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration for allegedly suppressing the declaration. The former king had previously granted clemency to Najib, reducing his sentence to six years and lowering the fine imposed by the courts from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Najib remains a polarizing figure in Malaysian politics, with his ongoing legal battles highlighting the deep divisions within UMNO, the party he once led. The party is fragmented into several factions, one of which is led by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister and an ally of Najib. As the Anwar administration grapples with this complex situation, questions about its management of the issue arise. The government is considering declassifying documents related to Najib's pardon, with the High Court ordering a formal application by January 20.
The legal proceedings will focus on the limits of the ex-king's authority in granting pardons and clemency, a matter central to the ongoing debate. Amidst this political turmoil, Rosli Abdul Jabar of Pahang PAS emphasized the importance of respecting the Pahang sultan's decrees and safeguarding Malaysians' rights.
"Actions tarnishing the authority of the institution of the Malay rulers cannot be ignored. Pahang PAS will continue to defend the sovereignty of the Pahang sultan and ensure that his decrees are respected, and the rights of Malaysians safeguarded," – Rosli Abdul Jabar
The tumultuous state of Malay politics is a contributing factor to this crisis. According to political analyst Khoo Boo Teik, no single leader, not even Anwar Ibrahim, can provide clear direction amidst such division.
"The problem for the mess in Malaysia stems from the parlous state of Malay politics, which is so divided and no single person, even Anwar, can provide direction. That is why the Najib issue keeps coming up," – Khoo Boo Teik
This unfolding drama has created a political boost for Najib, keeping him relevant among his supporters and raising questions about the current government's handling of the situation.
"What happened this (past) week is a political boost for Najib to remain politically relevant with his supporters and does raise questions about how the (Anwar) government's handling of the whole affair. But very little else changes," – Charles Santiago
The legal process regarding Najib's house arrest appeal could extend over several years due to potential appeals and court delays.
"The courts will have to hear the house arrest addendum matter, and this could take another two to three years with appeals and other court delays," – A senior lawyer (part of Najib's legal team)
This complex scenario may lead to a constitutional crisis if unresolved.
"It remains unclear how this very confusing situation will play out but the prospect that we might get a constitutional crisis out of this is very real," – Khoo Boo Teik
In response to accusations of withholding information, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim clarified that documents related to Najib's pardon were submitted to Istana Negara after the new king assumed the throne.
"After the new Agong (king) ascended the throne, the AG then submitted it to Istana Negara (the palace),” he was quoted as saying by the local media. “That’s the situation. We didn’t hide it." – Anwar Ibrahim
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