UMNO will continue demanding justice and a full pardon for its former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak as long as he is trapped behind bars, said party secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
In his speech at the 2024 UMNO General Assembly today (Aug 23), Asyraf disclosed that the highest number of motions submitted to the party leadership was to call for Najib’s full pardon.
“The UMNO headquarters has received 171 motions from 191 divisions across the country. The most frequent motion calls for a full pardon and release for Datuk Seri Najib Razak,” he remarked.
“As long as ‘Bossku’ is trapped behind bars, UMNO’s voice and efforts (to free Najib) will never cease. Give your utmost trust and confidence to our top leadership. Let us continue to pray as prayers are our weapon.”
Asyraf said the motion for a full pardon for Najib should be in accordance with Article 42 of the Federal Constitution.
Najib, 70, commenced his 12-year prison term when the Federal Court upheld his sentence and fine of RM210 mil.
The former Pekan MP was charged with abusing SRC International Sdn Bhd’s funds amounting to RM42 mil.
UMNO has been vocal in its efforts to defend Najib in line with the decision made in the last annual general assembly, stating that the former premier was not granted justice during his trial.
On Feb 2, the Pardons Board announced that it had decided to commute Najib’s jail term from 12 years to six, with a release date of Aug 23, 2028, and to reduce his fine from RM210 mil to RM50 mil.
Najib subsequently filed an appeal on July 9 to serve the remainder of his six-year jail sentence as house arrest, alleging that there was a royal addendum order for him to do so alongside his jail time and fine reduction.
The Court of Appeal had set Oct 7 for case management. – Aug 23, 2024
Main image: Bernama
