Three vital points, and two concerns, about Najib’s conditional pardon

Reactions to former prime minister Najib Razak’s conditional pardon have come in fast and furious, with some singling out Pakatan Harapan and DAP’s Hannah Yeoh for abandoning their stance on graft.

Yeoh, as the federal territories minister, sits on the Federal Territories Pardons Board that met on Friday morning. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, who presides over the meeting, granted Najib the conditional pardon, according to the legal affairs division of the Prime Ministers’ Department.

But before we, the general public, turn into keyboard warriors waiting to pounce on what we deem to be a gross injustice, there are a few things to bear in mind.

First, Najib did not obtain a full pardon. Umno was pushing for it, but Sultan Ibrahim, in his wisdom, thought otherwise. Najib still has to serve his reduced sentence, at home, once he pays RM50 million up front.

This decision is extremely fair when considering that Najib could have received a full pardon like the one obtained by Anwar Ibrahim in 2018.

Second, the conditional pardon is for the conviction in the SRC International case, not for the 1MDB case. This means Najib isn’t going galavanting any time soon.

Third — and this cannot be emphasised enough — the power to grant pardons lies with the King and not any sitting government.

Yes, government representatives sit on the pardons board, and that is all we know. We will never know what is discussed, as the minutes of the meeting are classified under the Official Secrets Act. And because we don’t know the discussions that took place, it would be unwise to make assumptions.

It is for this very reason we should not be pointing fingers at the government or Yeoh. The King makes his decision based on the discussions held. End of story.

With these three things out of the way, Najib’s conditional pardon however raises two concerns.

One: does house arrest mean he would be able to receive visitors? Would he have access to social media? Access which would allow him to plan his political comeback?

It doesn’t sit right with me if Najib is allowed to receive visitors or access to social media. Irrespective of who you are, the rules and regulations of a house arrest should apply equally.

Two: there will no doubt be politicians who want to resign from government because of Najib’s conditional pardon.

Principled maybe, but not necessarily right. Such a sharp response could be construed as defiance of the King’s will. A move that would undoubtedly whip up a racial and religious rhetoric.

So stay on. And if you need to voice your grievances do so politely. The same goes for those who want to hold demonstrations. Don’ go overboard as it would only sully the royal institution.

Politicians being placed under house arrest isn’t a new phenomenon in the world. Prominent figures in other countries have undergone a similar sentence. Najib only has the “honour” of being the first in Malaysia.

Mind you, he wasn’t pardoned for his crimes, and as a citizen I can live with that.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.

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