THERE is already mini-celebration among his loyalists and supporters that a royal pardon is underway – and that could just be in time for incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak to usher in the Aidilfitri joy at the comfort of his home.
In fact, the former Pekan MP is said to be hopeful to ride on the dissenting judgement by Federal Court judge Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli to support his application for a royal pardon, according to his learned counsel Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah.
Shafee has shared that Abdul Rahman’s minority judgement has been included in the application for a royal pardon that is being prepared.
But the question of royal pardon which arises once again following the Federal Court dismissal of Najib’s bid to review his corruption conviction is not as easy as brought up by his ordinary supporters and cyber soldiers.
As all the avenues for him to challenge his conviction in court have been shut, a successful royal pardon could as well be Najib’s last hope to be released from the Kajang Prison without serving the full 12-year term.
But veteran journalist and blogger Datuk A. Kadir Jasin contended that it is not easy even for the monarch institution to forgive a leader who has betrayed the trust of the common people solely for greed of power and worldly possessions.
“Lots of things to consider. The crime and damage that Najib did was too big in terms of moral, economic and welfare of the people,” he justified in a recent Facebook post.
“The image of the country, the Malay race and the Islamic religion is tainted. Billions of ringgit of state money stolen and the common people are suffering a debt of more than RM50 bil.”
Even political/social critic Mariam Mokhtar opined that granting Najib a royal pardon “will open the flood gates to anger and lead Malaysia down a path that will change the dynamics of the country”.
“With a royal pardon, comparisons will be made. A desperate, unemployed father who was forced to steal to feed his children is jailed for three years. Najib who stole billions of ringgit, has barely completed six months of his incarceration and yet is allowed to roam free. Where is the justice?” she berated in an opinion piece published by Sin Chew Daily.
“Najib may be left smiling at his good fortune (of being released) but think how badly this will reflect on those who granted him the pardon? The public will be wondering if the nation is in safe and capable hands.”
She added: “Think how badly this will reflect on the prison population who probably stole less than Najib but received stiffer punishments. The only difference is that they are not rich enough to afford a retinue of lawyers for the appeal process or find alternative solutions to be freed. Think what it will do to the morale of the country.” – April 7, 2023
Main pic credit: AFP
