Anwar Raised Concerns with King Over Najib’s Conditional Pardon

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22, 2026, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he had raised concerns directly with King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar regarding the impact of former premier Najib Razak’s conditional pardon on public confidence and Malaysia’s international reputation.

The King, who chaired Friday’s Federal Territories Pardons Board meeting, granted Najib permission to serve the remainder of his six-year sentence under house arrest until Aug. 23, 2028, subject to a RM50 million fine.

Anwar and The King

Speaking in Shah Alam, Anwar stressed that while every prisoner has the right to seek a pardon, he reminded the King that the decision’s implications on trust in Malaysia’s justice system and international perceptions must be considered. “I continue to remind them that its impact on public confidence, as well as international perceptions, must be given serious attention,” he said.

Anwar rejected claims that he facilitated Najib’s release, clarifying that the power to grant pardons rests solely with the monarch. He also emphasized that the conditional pardon does not affect Najib’s ongoing court cases, including the SRC International case involving RM42 million linked to 1MDB.

Najib’s sentence, originally 12 years and a RM210 million fine, was halved in 2024 before the latest conditional pardon.

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