ISTANBUL: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said there should be no “delaying tactics” to stall the implementation of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest following the payment of the RM50 million fine.
He said Umno stood by the decision of the Pardons Board, which was chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, adding that it was the King’s absolute authority under the Federal Constitution.
Zahid said the matter must be complied with by all parties, including the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC).
“Although some parties have questioned the crowdfunding that Umno worked on for a certain period, it was a joint effort on our part.
“Once that has been fulfilled (the fine), there should be no delaying tactics to put off the Pardons Board’s decision.
“To me, what has been decided is crystal clear and must be obeyed, including by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC),” he told a press conference here.
Zahid said Umno did not wish to question the powers of any department or office holder but believed the order issued must be obeyed.
“We also do not want to see any contradiction with earlier statements issued by the A-GC on Najib’s case,” he said.
Yesterday, Umno confirmed that the RM50 million fine imposed on Najib had been paid at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, paving the way for the implementation of house arrest under the terms of his conditional pardon.
On Sept 18, the Federal Territories Pardons Board announced that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, had consented to a conditional pardon at the board’s 64th meeting.
His Majesty allowed Najib to serve the remainder of his six-year sentence under house arrest, subject to payment of the RM50 million SRC International fine.
The board said Najib must comply with all conditions imposed for him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028.
Najib has been serving a reduced six-year prison sentence at Kajang Prison after the board halved his original 12-year sentence in February 2024.
The initial RM210 million fine was also reduced to RM50 million.
Najib is serving the sentence after the Federal Court upheld his conviction in the SRC International corruption case on Aug 23, 2022.
He was found guilty of seven charges involving abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering over RM42 million belonging to SRC International, a former unit of 1Malaysia Development Bhd. He was sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million.
He was taken to Kajang Prison the same day to begin serving his sentence, making him the first former prime minister to be imprisoned following a criminal conviction.