AS debate abounds whether ex-premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak has to serve a certain period of his 12 year-jail sentence first prior to applying for royal pardon, it is more likely that he will be ‘robbed’ of his array of royal titles first before any hope of royal pardon can materialise.
Recall that Najib had his “Dato’ Seri Utama” title conferred in 2005 revoked by the Negri Sembilan palace on Oct 26, 2018, in the quest “to safeguard the honour and dignity of the Negri Sembilan royal institution”.
The palace has also decided to revoke the “Dato’ Seri” title of Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor which was awarded to her in 2006.
The couple was also stripped of state titles awarded by the Sultan of Selangor effective May 6, 2019 pending the completion of their corruption cases in court.
The Selangor awards conferred the “Dato’ Seri” title to Najib and “Datin Paduka Seri” to Rosmah.
However, both Najib and Rosmah can still be called Datuk Seri and Datin Seri respectively as they still hold awards from Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak.
On Aug 23, the Federal Court upheld the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s conviction of a 12 year-jail sentence and RM210 mil fine on Najib for embezzlement of RM42 mil of funds in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case.
Meanwhile, Rosmah is currently facing charges of soliciting RM187.5 mil from Jepak Holdings to help the company secure a solar hybrid project for rural schools in Sarawak. Additionally. she is also accused of receiving RM6.5 mil to ensure the company received the project. The Kuala Lumpur High Court is expected to deliver its verdict on Sept 1.
As a precursor to the so-called stripping of royal honours, the prestigious Royal Lake Club – one of Malaysia’s oldest social clubs – has recently evoked Najib’s patronship.
In a letter emailed to club members, club president Manjeet Singh Dhillon said the decision was reached during a general committee meeting on Aug 25.
“Pursuant to the conviction of (Najib) by the Federal Court on August 23, (Najib’s) patronship has been revoked with immediate effect,” said the letter signed by Manjeet.
The letter also said Najib had been a patron of the club since June 1, 2011.
Founded on Aug 16, 1890, the Royal Lake Club is centrally located in Kuala Lumpur amid the luscious and green Lake Gardens in the shadow of the House of Parliament. – Aug 30, 2022
