Jailed Malaysian ex-PM considering new request for a full pardon

KUALA LUMPUR: Jailed former Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak is considering filing a new petition for a full pardon, his lawyer said on Wednesday, less than a week after a special panel agreed to halve his jail sentence.

Najib, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted in a case linked to the 1MDB scandal, had applied for clemency previously but the pardons board, which is chaired by Malaysia’s king, opted last week to reduce, opened new tab his sentence.

Najib’s lawyer Shafee Abdullah said a new request was being considered as his client had not received a fair trial. Najib has consistently denied wrongdoing.

The lawyer also raised questions over the pardons process led by Al-Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, who ended his five-year reign as king on Jan. 30, shortly after issuing the sentence reduction for Najib.

“I don’t think the pardons board operated the way the constitution dictates it operates,” Shafee said.