Najib’s conditional pardon has not strained unity government, says DPM Zahid

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said relations among unity government parties remain good following the conditional pardon granted to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 19 Sep 2026 5:08 PM MYT

JAKARTA, Sept 19 — Relations among the parties that make up the unity government remain good following the Pardons Board’s decision involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, said that in managing government affairs, all parties continue to act professionally, with Cabinet decisions being made collectively.

“The relationship remains good and, although we are politicians, when it comes to managing government affairs, we act professionally, and there is no problem because all decisions by the Cabinet are made collectively.

“In terms of personal relations, Alhamdulillah, they remain good so far. As members of the unity government, we will continue to uphold the principles of discipline as long as we are in the unity government,” he told a media conference today.

Yesterday, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, granted former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to the payment of a RM50 million fine.

The Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister’s Department said the order was decided at the 64th Meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya held at Istana Negara.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said the decision of the Pardons Board regarding Najib, which received the consent of His Majesty, was bound by provisions of the Federal Constitution.

“What was decided by the Pardons Board, and received the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is a decision bound by several clauses in the Malaysian Constitution, and His Majesty would certainly have taken into consideration that legal provisions serve as the basis for the pardon decision.

“So, if any party disputes the King’s decision, it means that it is not in line with the provisions enshrined in the Constitution. Umno and BN themselves are of the view that the law must be obeyed. That position is clear, as reflected in statements I made previously,” he added. — Bernama