The Yang di‑Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, granted Najib a conditional pardon following a meeting of the Federal Territories Pardons Board (FTPB). Under the terms, Najib, 73, will remain under house arrest until 23 August 2028 and must pay a reduced fine of RM50 million, down from the original RM210 million.
Najib has been serving a six‑year term at Kajang prison after the Federal Court dismissed his final appeal in August 2022. The pardon follows a February 2024 decision by the board that halved his original 12‑year sentence and lowered the fine.
DAP secretary‑general Loke Siew Fook said the party respects the monarch’s constitutional power to grant pardons but reiterated its commitment to the rule of law and zero tolerance for corruption. He highlighted that public outrage over the 1MDB scandal was a key factor in the historic change of government in the 2018 general election.
The former finance minister’s 1MDB scandal, Loke noted, has damaged Malaysia’s international image and eroded investor confidence. The finance ministry disclosed on 13 September that the government’s total obligations linked to 1MDB total RM51.4 billion, comprising RM42.5 billion already paid and RM8.9 billion still outstanding.
Loke stressed that DAP has consistently demanded a thorough, independent investigation of the misappropriation and that those responsible be brought to justice through a fair legal process. He said the party’s mandate to oppose corruption and abuse of power will continue to guide its actions.
Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh, who also serves as one of DAP’s three assistant secretaries‑general and a member of the FTPB, conveyed a position that aligns with the party’s principles while fulfilling her duties on the board. Loke described her remarks as honest and in the national interest.
The upcoming DAP executive committee meeting will determine the party’s official stance and any follow‑up measures in response to the pardon, signalling how the opposition will navigate the political fallout from Najib’s release.