Najib SRC trial

The opaque Malaysian pardon system

BFM | Around 100,000 people have signed an online petition requesting that former PM Najib Razak’s petition for pardon be rejected, while a group of UMNO supporters submitted a memorandum seeking a royal pardon. Edmund Bon explained what the process entails, the difference between a conditional and a free pardon, and flaws in the system such as the absence of a right of the prisoner to be heard.

Clock ticks for Najib in Pekan

The Star | Najib Razak became the first former PM in the country’s history to be sent to prison for corruption. Bar Council Human Rights Committee co-chair New Sin Yew said there is no time limit to seek a royal pardon, but “Prison Regulation 2000 states that it should be done as soon as practicable after conviction”.

Explainer: Behind bars, Malaysia’s Najib has few ‘get out of jail’ cards left to play

Reuters | The Federal Court panel of five judges strongly asserted the judiciary’s independence, throwing out Najib Razak’s appeal against his corruption conviction by a lower court. Najib could apply for a pardon, which will then be reviewed by a Pardons Board headed by the King. Constitutional lawyer New Sin Yew said if Najib does not file the pardon within 14 days, he will lose his seat in Parliament.

Following Najib’s sentence, Edmund Bon wants pardons system reformed

Malaysiakini | Human rights lawyer Edmund Bon called for the pardons system for convicted prisoners to be reformed, drawing attention to the thousands of prisoners waiting for their pardons to be heard and re-heard. The Pardons Board comprises the AG, the federal territories minister, and three other members appointed by the YDPA, who presides over the board.

Najib verdict: Breaking down the ruling

BFM | Former PM Najib Razak will serve a 12-year prison sentence and pay a fine of RM210 million for his conviction on seven charges of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving RM42 million belonging to SRC International. The conviction was upheld by the Federal Court. Lawyer New Sin Yew unpacked what happened legally.

Najib has 14 days to file for pardon or lose MP status

Malaysiakini | Lawyer New Sin Yew explained that if former PM Najib Razak does not file a petition for pardon within 14 days, he will lose his status as MP under Article 48 of the Federal Constitution. The power to pardon can only be exercised by the YDPA in consultation with the Pardons Board.

We are officers of the court, lawyers remind Zaid

Malaysiakini | Former PM Najib Razak discharged his lawyers in the SRC International trial for the second time in less than a month, but the Federal Court denied his lawyer permission to discharge himself. Lawyer New Sin Yew noted that the court does have overarching control over such matters. For example, if a lawyer wants to discharge for some frivolous reason, the court can say no.

The opaque Malaysian pardon system

BFM | Around 100,000 people have signed an online petition requesting that former PM Najib Razak’s petition for pardon be rejected, while a group of UMNO supporters submitted a memorandum seeking a royal pardon. Edmund Bon explained what the process entails, the difference between a conditional and a free pardon, and flaws in the system such as the absence of a right of the prisoner to be heard.

Clock ticks for Najib in Pekan

The Star | Najib Razak became the first former PM in the country’s history to be sent to prison for corruption. Bar Council Human Rights Committee co-chair New Sin Yew said there is no time limit to seek a royal pardon, but “Prison Regulation 2000 states that it should be done as soon as practicable after conviction”.

Explainer: Behind bars, Malaysia’s Najib has few ‘get out of jail’ cards left to play

Reuters | The Federal Court panel of five judges strongly asserted the judiciary’s independence, throwing out Najib Razak’s appeal against his corruption conviction by a lower court. Najib could apply for a pardon, which will then be reviewed by a Pardons Board headed by the King. Constitutional lawyer New Sin Yew said if Najib does not file the pardon within 14 days, he will lose his seat in Parliament.

Following Najib’s sentence, Edmund Bon wants pardons system reformed

Malaysiakini | Human rights lawyer Edmund Bon called for the pardons system for convicted prisoners to be reformed, drawing attention to the thousands of prisoners waiting for their pardons to be heard and re-heard. The Pardons Board comprises the AG, the federal territories minister, and three other members appointed by the YDPA, who presides over the board.

Najib verdict: Breaking down the ruling

BFM | Former PM Najib Razak will serve a 12-year prison sentence and pay a fine of RM210 million for his conviction on seven charges of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving RM42 million belonging to SRC International. The conviction was upheld by the Federal Court. Lawyer New Sin Yew unpacked what happened legally.

Najib has 14 days to file for pardon or lose MP status

Malaysiakini | Lawyer New Sin Yew explained that if former PM Najib Razak does not file a petition for pardon within 14 days, he will lose his status as MP under Article 48 of the Federal Constitution. The power to pardon can only be exercised by the YDPA in consultation with the Pardons Board.

We are officers of the court, lawyers remind Zaid

Malaysiakini | Former PM Najib Razak discharged his lawyers in the SRC International trial for the second time in less than a month, but the Federal Court denied his lawyer permission to discharge himself. Lawyer New Sin Yew noted that the court does have overarching control over such matters. For example, if a lawyer wants to discharge for some frivolous reason, the court can say no.