KUALA LUMPUR – It has been three hours and counting as the Umno Supreme Council sits for an emergency meeting to discuss the Pardons Board’s decision to reduce the jail term meted out on former party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The meeting that started at 11am has yet to conclude, according to council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
He shared on X several images of the meeting chaired by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that saw some 40 members in attendance.
“Umno Supreme Council’s emergency meeting from 11am to 1.50pm, not yet concluded,” he posted.
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is also foreign minister, did not attend the meeting as he is currently in Brussels for the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum.
Similarly, council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi was not seen in the photos.
Yesterday, the Pardons Board secretariat for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya announced that Najib was granted a reduced jail sentence and fine.
Najib’s jail sentence was halved from 12 years to six, while his fine was reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Najib would have to serve an additional year in prison in default, should he fail to pay the fine.
News of his sentence reduction was met with mixed reactions, both positive and negative.
Today, transport minister and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the cabinet had no influence in the board’s decision as the matter is final and cannot be challenged in court.
Loke added that Najib’s punishment still remained and he was not pardoned, adding that the latter still has ongoing cases relating to the 1MDB scandal. – February 3, 2024