In Malaysia, the prime minister’s coalition called on those convicted of corruption to serve their full sentences
In Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan coalition said that people convicted of corruption or abuse of power, especially in high-profile cases, should serve the sentences imposed by the court in full. The statement came amid reports of a new royal pardon petition by imprisoned former Prime Minister Najib Razak, Daily Maverick reports.
Reports of a council meeting
Chinese-language Malaysian outlet Sin Chew Daily reported that a pardons board chaired by King Sultan Ibrahim was due to meet on Friday. Among the matters the board could consider was Najib Razak’s petition for a pardon, although it was unclear whether a decision would be made immediately.
Free Malaysia Today also reported on the board meeting and Razak’s petition, citing unnamed sources. A palace representative, a lawyer and an aide to the former prime minister did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Sentences in 1MDB cases
Najib Razak has been in prison since 2022 following convictions in two separate corruption cases linked to the multibillion-dollar scandal surrounding the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB. He has consistently maintained his innocence.
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In 2024, a pardons board chaired by the previous king halved his original 12-year prison sentence and reduced the fines imposed. Razak claimed that the decision also allowed him to serve his sentence under house arrest, but his court attempt to secure such an arrangement was unsuccessful.
In December 2025, Razak was additionally sentenced to 15 years in prison in the largest trial he faced in connection with the 1MDB scandal. Pakatan Harapan did not mention him by name or the pardons board meeting in its statement, but stressed the need for judicial procedures to be completed in an orderly and independent manner, without the impression that they had been overtaken by other considerations.
Pakatan Harapan formed a government with the United Malays National Organisation in 2022 after an election in which no political force won a parliamentary majority. Differences have emerged within the alliance, including over its stance toward Razak: some UMNO members have called for his release.
