By M.Krishnamoorthy
A former Associate Professor, author, media coach, and journalist
“It is understood that both she (Hannah Yeoh) and Attorney General Tan Sri Dusuki Ahmad had advised the Board as well as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim that releasing Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence at his Langgak Duta home may not be in the best interest of the country and will put the Madani Government, which had been tough on corruption, in the firing line from the Rakyat,” Scoop reported.
Hannah Yeoh, Minister of Federal Territories and head of the Pardons Board, had the awkward task of signing the instrument of government to facilitate Najib’s release from prison in the interest of #MalaysiaKita2026.
In the news analysis titled “A house divided: The Najib Razak pardon – The fallout from the pardon of the former prime minister challenges the prerogative of the King,” Terence Fernandez, Group Editor-in-Chief of Big Boom Media and Scoop's publisher, noted.
“Just a week prior, on Sept 11, the Pardons Board convened to deliberate the pardon petitions of 150 people. Sixty-five were granted. Najib’s was not on the agenda as the Board failed to meet full quorum. It is understood that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong wanted a full deck for an important decision like this.”
“Which is why on Sept 18 the Board convened again specifically to decide on Najib’s house arrest. The King granted Najib a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to a RM50 million fine.”
Terence added: “That distinction is important. The Government advised. The King decided. There is a temptation, particularly among those politically opposed to Najib, to portray the decision as a failure of PMX Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s anti-corruption drive, where the campaign for accountability for 1MDB formed the crux of Pakatan Harapan’s 2018 election campaign to unseat Barisan Nasional.”
The writer added: “Even Anwar’s colleagues have gone hysterical over the decision to release Najib to home confinement, with DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke offering his resignation as Transport Minister. That reaction is too simplistic.”
Ends
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (https://helloimkrishna.com/) is a media coach, former Associate Professor, and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks, and The New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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