The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on the Malaysian Bar's appeal challenging the Pardons Board's reduction of former Prime Minister Najib Razak's prison sentence and fine. The court has scheduled August 7 for case management to determine the next steps in this legal process.
In January 2024, the Pardons Board, which advises the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on matters of clemency, reduced Najib's 12-year prison sentence to six years and his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million. This decision was made after Najib filed a petition for a royal pardon in September 2022, following his conviction in the SRC International case.
The Malaysian Bar, representing the legal profession in Malaysia, filed an application for judicial review in April 2024, seeking to quash the Pardons Board's decision. The High Court dismissed this application in November 2024, ruling that the matter was non-justiciable, meaning it was not suitable for judicial review. The Malaysian Bar then appealed this decision to the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal's decision to reserve judgment indicates that the panel of judges requires more time to deliberate on the complex legal issues presented. The upcoming case management on August 7 will provide further clarity on the court's approach to this appeal.
This case has significant implications for the legal community and the public's understanding of the pardoning process in Malaysia. The outcome may influence how future pardon applications are handled and the extent to which they can be subject to judicial review.
Key points:
- The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on the Malaysian Bar's appeal regarding Najib's pardon.
- The Pardons Board reduced Najib's prison sentence and fine in January 2024.
- The Malaysian Bar's application for judicial review was dismissed by the High Court in November 2024.
- The Court of Appeal will hold a case management session on August 7 to determine the next steps.
Background:
Najib Razak, Malaysia's former Prime Minister, was convicted in 2022 for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International, a subsidiary of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) sovereign wealth fund. In January 2024, the Pardons Board reduced his 12-year prison sentence to six years and his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million. The Malaysian Bar challenged this decision, leading to the current appeal.