Kuala Lumpur: Umno has launched a nationwide donation drive to assist former party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak in settling the RM50 million fine required under his conditional royal pardon, party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced today.
Zahid said the party, representing its entire leadership and grassroots membership, conveyed its profound gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, describing the royal decision as a moment of tremendous relief for Najib, his family, and party loyalists who had “never ceased to hold hope and offer prayers” for his release.
“Umno calls upon all party leaders, members and supporters, as well as anyone wishing to lend their support, to contribute voluntarily through an initiative that will be carried out transparently, in an orderly manner, and in full compliance with all applicable rules and laws,” Zahid said in a statement.
However, the Umno president did not provide immediate operational details on how the collection would be structured or administered.
Earlier today, the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister’s Department announced that Sultan Ibrahim had consented to grant Najib a conditional pardon, permitting him to serve the remainder of his custodial sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to the full payment of the RM50 million fine.
The decision was concluded during the 64th meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya at Istana Negara this morning.
Zahid emphasised that Umno’s advocacy for Najib had always been pursued “with full propriety and humility, through the proper designated channels,” reiterating that unwavering respect for the Malay Rulers, the Federal Constitution, and the rule of law remain the party’s core principles.
He also called on party members to welcome the royal decision with humility, decorum, and strict adherence to legal norms.
Najib was convicted in 2020 in the SRC International corruption case, one of several high-profile trials linked to the 1MDB scandal. He commenced his sentence at Kajang Prison in August 2022 after the Federal Court dismissed his final appeal.
His original 12-year jail term was subsequently halved to six years and his initial RM210 million fine reduced to RM50 million following an earlier review by the Pardons Board in early 2024.
