SHAH ALAM - If former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is released from his sentence early, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) is expected to emerge as the biggest winner, says political analyst Dr. Syaza Shukri from the International Islamic University.
Dr. Shukri sees the fight against corruption, which has always been a central issue for Pakatan Harapan (PH) as an important factor in Najib's conviction.
"1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was a major cause for the fall of BN in 2018. Najib’s conviction further turned away younger voters from BN.
"If Najib is let off very early into his sentence, it would appear that the unity government is not serious about 'catching the big fish' but is only interested in power.
"In all of the uncertainty surrounding Najib's pardon, PN will come out as the biggest winner," Syaza said.
She further said PN will leverage on this issue as a way to show unity government's close proximity to the "kleptocrats."
"If Najib stays in prison, they will still point to Anwar as being vindictive."
Echoing Syaza’s views, Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said pardoning Najib could be a double-edged sword.
"On the one hand, a pardon for Najib is likely to irk PH supporters, who may then choose not to come out to vote.
"A free Najib may be able to resume his Bossku campaign to win more seats for Umno, as he did in the Melaka and Johor campaigns and potentially frustrating the green wave (PAS) in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan," Oh added.
Najib began serving his 12-year prison sentence on Aug 23, 2022 after he was found guilty of criminal breach of trust, power abuse, and money laundering involving RM42 million of funds belonging to SRC International.
Umno Supreme Council has asked the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to consider granting former prime minister Najib Razak a royal pardon.
Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had said the Supreme Council will also seek an audience with the King to present a memorandum asking for Najib to be pardoned.