The official statement from the Pardons Board on Najib Abdul Razak’s bid for freedom is not likely to be issued today.
The delay is thought to be in consideration of the new Yang di Pertuan Agong’s swearing-in ceremony.
Speculation regarding the announcement at a press conference by the Home Ministry today has been dispelled, as the government aims to uphold the separation between the executive and the Pardons Board in its decision-making process.
The board, led by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, reportedly convened on Monday to deliberate on Najib’s pardon request, one of the final tasks of Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who concluded his term as Agong on Tuesday.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territory) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, a board member, confirmed a decision has been made but did not specify when the statement would be released.
There are three potential outcomes under speculation: a granted pardon leading to Najib’s release.
The first possibility is that Najib was granted a pardon and would be released from prison soon.
The second outcome that is gaining traction among speculators is that the former prime minister would have his 12-year jail sentence reduced, with some believing it may be cut down by half.
A third possibility is that the Pardons Board rejected Najib’s bid.
Earlier report:
Jan 30, Utusan retracts ‘Najib pardoned’ story