Bersih has slammed the Pardons Board’s decision to reduce the jail sentence and fine imposed on former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
While acknowledging that the board had the power to offer a pardon, the electoral reform group said that the decision would affect the rakyat’s perception of the judiciary.
“Why was Najib’s case prioritised for consideration when many other inmates are waiting for a chance to be pardoned?
“The country cannot give a message that politicians who commit offenses and are found guilty for it can take ‘shortcuts’ to escape punishment, as though there are two sets of laws for the laymen and the elite,” the Bersih steering committee said in a statement today.
Elaborating, Bersih said the fact that the Federal Court upheld Najib’s SRC International conviction, his 12-year jail term and RM210 million fine showed that Najib had indeed “stolen” the country’s money.
“We see no need for a reduction in imprisonment or fine imposed. Thus, the Pardons Board is obligated to explain the reasons behind the sentence reduction as Najib’s crime involves millions of the country’s money.”
The group noted that it had previously launched an online petition to gauge the rakyat’s opinion on Najib’s pardon and said the 150,000 signatures it gathered showed the overwhelming rejection of freeing Najib.
“Bersih would also like to reiterate our demand to the federal government and the attorney-general to stop applying for discharge not amounting to acquittals (DNAAs) in corruption cases involving politicians, pending the separation of the roles of AG and public prosecutor.”