Pakatan Harapan and Umno Clash Over Potential Pardon for Najib Razak

The Federal Territories Pardons Board, chaired by King Sultan Ibrahim, is reportedly scheduled to meet this Friday to consider a clemency application from former Prime Minister Najib Razak. Najib is currently serving prison sentences for corruption linked to the 1MDB scandal. In response to reports of the meeting, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition issued a statement asserting that individuals convicted of corruption or abuse of power, particularly in high profile cases, must serve their full sentences. The statement did not name Najib explicitly but emphasized the importance of the rule of law and the country's international reputation.

Umno secretary general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki criticized the PH statement, arguing that it indirectly questioned the constitutional powers of the Malay rulers to grant pardons. Asyraf pointed to the 2018 royal pardon granted to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as a precedent, questioning why a different standard should apply to Najib. He stated that Umno respects the lawful process of the Pardons Board and does not intend to pre empt its decision. In response, PH Youth treasurer Lim Chun Weng argued that advocating for the rule of law is not the same as questioning royal power and stated that Najib's case cannot be compared to Anwar's.

Najib has previously had his sentence halved and fines reduced by a previous king in 2024. He was also sentenced to an additional 15 years in prison in December 2025. While Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has previously dismissed reports of a rift with Umno chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, analysts suggest that a pardon for Najib could pose political risks for Anwar among reformist allies.