FORMER Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s prison sentence has been shortened to six years from 12 years in a decision by a board led by the previous king, according to a CNA report.
The decision includes a reduction of his US$44 million fine to an unspecified amount, the Singapore-based media outlet reported, citing unnamed sources including senior government officials, The Business Times reported.
Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister said on Wednesday (Jan 31) the Cabinet had discussed a request by Najib for a royal pardon.
It will be up to the discretion of the country’s Pardons Board to announce a decision on that request, Reuters quoted Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as telling reporters.
There has been a blitz of media speculation, with one prominent Malay-language newspaper forced to withdraw a report citing sources saying that Najib had been granted a full pardon.
Officials have declined to comment on further reports.