IN May 2018, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was pardoned for sodomy by the Agong (the then Kelantan ruler) upon the recommendation of the then Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
Similarly, I believe that incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak deserves a full royal pardon from the current Agong.
The government through the Pardons Board must move decisively beyond the partial pardon Najib has received and unequivocally seek his full pardon.
A full pardon would not erase Najib’s conviction or incarceration but would acknowledge the complex political dynamics surrounding his case.
If certain leaders in UMNO could have their corruption and money laundering charges dropped to preserve the present grand coalition, why shouldn’t Najib, the son of Malaysia’s “father of development” Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, also benefit from the same political pragmatism?
The withdrawal of charges and the discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) for Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was driven by the necessity to maintain the stability of the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) unity government.
Given that UMNO’s parliamentary support was crucial, political considerations took precedence over judicial outcomes.
‘Zahid’s hands are tight’
In contrast, Najib was prosecuted with unprecedented vigour by the PH-led government under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad after losing power in 2018. It was Anwar who commented recently about how the prosecution was rushed during this period.
While crimes were undoubtedly committed, the intensity of his prosecution was amplified by political vengeance.
The selective nature of these actions raises questions about fairness, especially when Zahid himself later escaped conviction through political manoeuvring.
Despite UMNO’s participation in the unity government, Zahid failed to champion a full pardon for Najib. Preoccupied with his own legal battles, Zahid lacked the courage and resolve to demand Najib’s release even though he had the leverage to do so.
Had Zahid threatened to withdraw UMNO’s support for the government, Najib might have been free by now.
Anwar’s leadership on this issue has also been disappointing. While the government plays an advisory role in the Pardons Board under the Constitution, Anwar’s refusal to take a firm stand has exposed him as a leader unwilling to tackle politically sensitive matters head-on.
His ambiguous stance regarding the royal addendum on Najib’s house arrest further undermines his credibility.
‘Najib returning for a 2nd term?’
The upcoming pro-Najib rally on Jan 6 – supported by BN component parties such as MCA, MIC, PPP and Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia, to name a few – reflects the growing demand for Najib’s full pardon.
Editor’s note: UMNO had on yesterday (Jan 3) called off its participation in the “Solidarity with Najib” rally on Monday (Jan 6) but PAS has reportedly been steadfast to proceed while there is no response as yet from BN component parties with regard to their stance on the matter.
Moreover, UMNO’s eventual alignment with PAS on this issue highlights the deep dissatisfaction within Malay political circles. This movement is more than a call for Najib’s release – it signifies a potential shift in Malaysia’s political landscape.
If Najib’s release is delayed further, the political ramifications could be profound. The PKR and DAP-led unity government may find itself sidelined as public frustration grows.
Zahid’s inability to act decisively could also hasten his exit from UMNO, paving the way for new party leadership.
Ultimately, the Agong must consider the well-being of the rakyat. Najib’s full pardon could be the catalyst for broader political changes that better align with the aspirations of the Malay majority.
That the movement to free Najib is gaining momentum may herald the replacement of the current Madani government with a coalition more attuned to the nation’s shifting political dynamics.
Who knows if Najib – like Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad – might even return as Malaysia’s PM for a second term.
As for Anwar, it could be a case of what the Malay proverb depicts – sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga (literally, “no matter how clever the squirrel, it will eventually fall to the ground”).
As leaders must ultimately face the consequences of their actions, Anwar’s inaction on this issue could be his undoing. – Jan 4, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
