Najib could lose MP status unless other court procedures, royal pardon initiated
NURFARDLINA IZZATI MOKTAR24 Aug 2022 06:43pm
Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun.
SHAH ALAM - Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak must submit his application to receive a royal pardon within 14 days from today or may lose his status as Pekan MP.
Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun said this is in line with Article 48 of the Federal Constitution, which states for a person to be disqualified as an MP if he or she is convicted and sentenced to more than one year in prison or a fine of not less than RM2,000, and does not receive a royal pardon.
"Article 48 states that if there is a request for a royal pardon within 14 days, then his status will remain until the process of the royal pardon is concluded," he told Sinar Harian.
The Federal Court on Tuesday upheld the 12-year prison sentence and RM210 million fine for misappropriation of SRC International funds totaling RM42 million.
The panel of five judges lead by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat denied the appeal of the former prime minister to set aside the conviction and sentence that was decided by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 28, 2020.
Najib, 69, failed to overturn the the High Court's decision after the Court of Appeal maintained the decision on Dec 8.
Azhar added Parliament will need to wait for an official notice from the Federal Court to inform on Najib's sentence.
"There is now no appeal as the sentence is decided in the Federal Court, but Article 48(4)(b) states that if there are any other court proceedings, Najib's position remains until the proceedings are completed.
"If incarcerated and Najib files the review within 14 days, his position as Pekan MP would remain until the review ends," he said.
