Zahid did his best to secure full pardon for Najib, says Ahmad

Umno Supreme Council member Ahmad Maslan says the party president will explain the efforts at a closed-door meeting with 191 division chiefs this evening.

(FMT) – An Umno leader says party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi tried his best to ensure that Najib Razak obtained a full pardon in his SRC International case.

Umno Supreme Council member Ahmad Maslan said Zahid had made every effort to obtain a full pardon for Najib, and the party is now focussing on efforts to seek a full pardon once again.

“Zahid has done many things, not all of which can be disclosed to the public.

“Yesterday, during the Supreme Council meeting, Zahid explained all the action taken to obtain a full pardon for Najib,” Ahmad said, according to Sinar Harian.

He said Zahid will explain these efforts at a closed-door meeting with the party’s 191 division chiefs this evening.

“The meeting is crucial for clarifying the true status of a full pardon and the efforts made by Umno,” he added.

Following the Supreme Council meeting yesterday, Umno said it respected the decision by the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, over Najib’s commuted prison sentence and fine.

“While we uphold the Federal Constitution, Umno is saddened by the decision,” it said.

“Umno will continue its efforts to seek justice for the party’s former president (Najib) in accordance with the country’s laws, and in line with the decision made at the last Umno general assembly to continue defending Najib.”

After the meeting, Supreme Council member Lokman Adam told reporters the party will collect signatures nationwide to appeal to the current Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, to consider granting a full royal pardon to Najib.

Lokman said Umno also expressed its gratitude to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for an earlier hearing of Najib’s petition, which resulted in the commuted sentence and fine.

“By right, Najib’s case could only be heard by the (Federal Territories) Pardons Board after he has served one-third of his sentence,” he said.