Najib pardon could ease Umno-PH tensions, says political analyst
PETALING JAYA: The conditional pardon allowing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest could give Umno greater political room to chart its own course towards GE16 while easing one of the most sensitive issues in its cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH), said a political analyst.
Universiti Malaya Academy of Malay Studies dean Professor Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the development could lower tensions between Umno and PH by removing an issue that had carried considerable emotional weight among Umno members and supporters.
READ MORE: ‘Pardon unlikely to heal PH-Umno political fractures’
READ MORE: UMNO plans fundraising drive for Najib’s RM50 million fine
“The decision may therefore reduce internal pressure on the Umno leadership and give it greater room to concentrate on governance, economic issues and preparations for GE16,” he told theSun.
Awang Azman said it could also contribute to greater stability within the Unity government although sections of PH’s reform-oriented constituency could remain uneasy over the development.
He said the matter should not be framed as a political concession by PH to Umno as the pardon was granted through the constitutional powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Pardons Board.
He added that the arrangement allowed PH and Umno to maintain different political positions while continuing to work together in government, with the durability of the partnership ultimately depending on how they manage policy differences, the economy and the division of political responsibilities.
He said the move could also change one dimension of Umno’s contest with Perikatan Nasional (PN), adding that the Najib issue had previously given Umno’s rivals an opportunity to question what the party had secured for its former president while remaining part of the Unity government.
“With the latest development, that line of political argument may have less resonance.” Awang Azman said this could give Umno greater space to project its own political identity instead of allowing its Malay-Muslim narrative to be shaped primarily by its rivalry with PAS and Bersatu.
He said PN, however, remains a separate electoral competitor and the development does not remove the broader contest between Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) and PN.
He added that the issue would therefore not necessarily force Umno to make an immediate choice between remaining with PH or moving to PN.
“Umno could continue supporting stability within the present government while strengthening its own BN identity and exploring areas of cooperation with other Malay-Muslim parties where interests overlap.
“In other words, the immediate political significance may be greater strategic autonomy for Umno. As GE16 approaches, Umno can assess cooperation, seat arrangements and political partnerships separately instead of allowing the Najib question alone to determine its coalition strategy.”
Najib, 73, has been serving a six-year sentence at Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022, following his conviction in the SRC International case.
Under the conditional pardon, he is to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to a RM50 million fine payment and other conditions.
Failure to comply could result in the pardon being revoked and him returning to prison.
The arrangement had not yet been implemented as of Sept 21, with the Prisons Department saying that it is awaiting official notification and documents on the Pardons Board decision before taking further action.
