SHAH ALAM - The jail sentence of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who was convicted for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International Sdn Bhd's funds, has allegedly been reduced from 12 to six years by the Pardons Board, according to a report by Channel News Asia (CNA).
The decision was revealed to CNA by its sources, including senior government officials, following the board's meeting on Monday.
The report also mentioned that the Pardons Board reduced Najib's RM210 million (US$44.4 million) fine to an unspecified amount.
The alleged partial royal pardon comes after Najib served less than two years of his original prison term.
With this reduction, he was expected to complete his sentence in August 2028, and he could be eligible for parole in August 2026 after serving two-thirds of the new jail term.
Speculation about the pardon grew after Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa confirmed that the board held a meeting on Monday.
Sinar Daily is in the process of contacting the person in charge for an official announcement from the Pardons Board.
It was also reported that Najib's lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said that he has yet to be informed of any decision by the Pardons Board.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for his conviction on charges of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
These charges are related to the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).