Malaysia coalition says graft convicts must serve full terms amid Najib pardon reports

Malaysia's ruling coalition has stated that individuals convicted in high-profile corruption cases must serve their full sentences, amidst reports that jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak has submitted another request for a royal pardon. The coalition, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, issued a statement emphasizing the importance of the rule of law and allowing judicial processes to proceed independently.

Media outlets reported that a pardons board, chaired by King Sultan Ibrahim, was scheduled to convene on Friday, with Najib's clemency request potentially on the agenda. However, it remained unclear if an immediate decision would be made. Najib has been imprisoned since 2022 following convictions in cases linked to the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB state fund scandal, though he maintains his innocence.

In 2024, a previous pardons board had halved Najib's initial 12-year sentence and reduced his fines. A subsequent legal attempt by Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest was unsuccessful. He also received an additional 15-year sentence in December 2025 for the most significant trial related to the 1MDB scandal.

The coalition's statement, which did not directly mention Najib or the pardons board meeting, highlighted that previous graft cases have impacted Malaysia's international standing and that the country has been working to restore confidence in its institutions. A new pardon for Najib could create political challenges for Prime Minister Anwar, who has faced accusations from critics and reformist allies of being lenient on high-level corruption, particularly concerning figures from Najib's party, UMNO. The current coalition government, formed in 2022, includes UMNO, and internal disagreements, including over Najib's treatment, have surfaced.