Is Najib same as any other convicted prisoner?
By Zan Azlee

Yes, the Pardons Board has full prerogative in deciding if an individual is pardoned or gets a reduced sentence. Yes, the Pardons Board has no obligation to explain the reasons for its decisions.

Yes, it is the right of any convicted individual to apply for a pardon from the board. Yes, once the board has already made an official decision, it is binding and there can be no appeal or judicial review of the decision.

We understand it all. However, feelings and sentiments can’t be avoided because everyone is human. Show me a human being who is devoid of any feelings and emotions, and I will show you a pig that has wings.

So I will bet my bottom ringgit that Malaysians, and even non-Malaysians, will have feelings about the recent decision made by the Federal Territories Pardons Board to reduce former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s prison sentence from 12 years to six and his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.

If anyone expects Malaysians to not feel at all when it comes to the decision that has been made, then I think those people should just kill us all.

Just take a look when the whole issue was just rumoured. The news media went wild and so did many people on social media and in real life as well.

Then when the official statement was made, it went wild all over again. You see, people are very invested in the 1MDB corruption case and everything that surrounds it. It is Malaysians’ money anyway.

A podcaster and former youth and sports minister probably put it best when he said although the Pardons Board does not have to justify its decision, it would actually be in the best interest of the public for a reasoning to be given.

The people need to understand why the decision was made in order to be appeased. But then again, the argument is that everything has happened according to the rule of law, and if there is no need for something, then there is no need.

That brings me back to my media training. When there is no explanation for something, it creates the risk of suspicion. When a crisis happens and no explanation or information is made available, people will start trying to find out, especially when it involves them.

Fanning the flames of assumptions

Whatever information that is available will be scrutinised, analysed, and theorised until an acceptable reason is found. If there continues to be no legitimate or factual information being released, there will be a danger of assumption.

As it is, Malaysians are already expressing their feelings on social media, the news and also just talking to one another. Most of these general feelings tend to be dissatisfaction with the current administration.

People are making assumptions that this administration is in cahoots with those who are corrupt, hence it looks as if they are protecting or saving those who are in the wrong. Whether this is true or not, we don’t know. These are just assumptions.

When Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim released his statement saying that everything was done according to the rule of law and that the decision was the prerogativeof the Pardons Board, he was right.

However, the people still had feelings and judging from the chatter on social media, many felt that Anwar was trying to pass the buck to the Pardons Board instead. Again, whether this is true or not, we don’t know. However, that’s how people are feeling right now.

Anwar was also pardoned

Here’s the thing. All prisoners have the right to apply for a pardon, and many actually do. Whenever the Pardons Board meets, there will definitely be a number of applications that they will review.

These can be from any criminal – be it a murderer, rapist, car thief, or a former prime minister guilty of corruption.

Decisions are made based on good behaviour, health issues, age, or anything else. It is all at the discretion of the king as provided by the Federal Constitution.

If you all remember, even the current prime minister was fully pardoned in 2018 while serving prison time for sodomy charges. However, his pardon was not criticised and instead was welcomed by the people.

Anwar’s pardon went through the same process as anyone else’s, no difference at all. So why is it that Najib’s pardon decision, or reduction of sentence, is being questioned?

And here’s the thing again. Najib is no ordinary individual just by the mere fact that his corruption scandal is the biggest and highest profile in the world. Malaysia Boleh!

As soon as rumours emerged about a decision by the Pardons Board, media all around the world were reporting about it.

The issue is under such minute scrutiny by all, so opinions, thoughts, and commentary cannot be avoided. It is a matter of much public interest.

However, like what my therapist always says, feelings are not facts, and the fact is that Najib’s pardon application had gone through due process and followed what is accorded by law. So no matter what feelings one might have about it, it is done.

Whether an explanation is given or not, the people will just have to accept it and try to appease themselves.

Do remember, however, that it isn’t just the people who are disappointed, even Najib and his family are disappointed by the decision too.

[ This article was originally written for and published at Malaysiakini.com]

Get Zan Azlee’s best-selling book ‘Liberal, Malay and Malaysian‘ today!

Buy more Fat Bidin books, films and merchandise at The Fat Bidin Store!