'Big possibility' of pardon for Najib, says Mahathir

Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said there was a "big possibility" that former prime minister Najib Razak, who began serving a 12-year jail sentence this week for the misappropriation of RM42 million in SRC International funds, would receive a royal pardon.

In a statement, he also spoke of corruption cases which he said had been delayed due to Najib's SRC International case which continued in court for four years before the Federal Court verdict on Aug 23.

"Many cases of theft, abuse of power and corruption involving many political leaders were postponed and not brought to court. 

"Some offenders have even passed away," he said, citing the proverb "justice delayed is justice denied". 

Under Article 42(1) of the Federal Constitution, the Agong may grant convicts royal pardons or reprieves for any legal punishment. 

Najib was sent to Kajang Prison on Tuesday after the Federal Court upheld his conviction and sentence in the SRC International case in a historic decision which made him the first former prime minister to be sent to jail. 

While he can apply for a review of the decision, a reversal of any verdict by the nation's top court is rare.

He could also apply for a pardon which would allow him to return to active politics, as was the case with PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim who received a pardon days after Pakatan Harapan's victory in the 2018 general election.  

However, Najib still faces four other cases related to the 1MDB scandal, including the bribery and money laundering trial ongoing at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. 

Mahathir said these, too, would take a long time.

"I believe the judges are ill at ease with so many delayed cases," he said. 

"These delays have been made all the worse because of Najib's behaviour with his lawyers. All sorts of excuses have been used to obstruct the trial."

Adding that many reports had been made about serious corruption cases that have yet to go for trial, he said there was "a big likelihood that criminals will escape punishment for the crimes they have committed". 

"The English proverb 'justice delayed is justice denied' is true," he said. 

"For Najib, there is a big possibility that he will be pardoned after having been jailed."