JAILED former prime minister Najib Razak’s pardon application is set to be deliberated and decided by the Pardons Board later this month, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported.

The regional news agency said Najib’s application was first deliberated in a Pardons Board meeting in December, and it was decided that the matter would be deferred to this month’s session.

The meeting is scheduled for the third week of January and “likely to see a decision being made”, reported CNA, quoting government sources.

The meeting in December was attended by outgoing Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The king will attend the meeting in January before his tenure ends at the end of the month.

Anwar, however, is not expected to be present as the slot is reserved for the Federal Territories minister, a position which has been assumed by Dr Zaliha Mustapha in last month’s cabinet reshuffle.

Najib’s bid for pardon is over his 12-year jail sentence for convictions related to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal. His conviction also carried a fine of RM210 million that remains unsettled. 

He continues to face other trials related to the sovereign fund.

CNA also reported that Najib’s lawyer, Mohammad Shafee Abdullah, declined to comment on the matter, saying that he “did not want to complicate the pardon process”.

However, another senior member of Najib’s inner circle was quoted as saying that they feel “some degree of positive vibes’ from the Pardons Board. – January 10, 2024.