KUALA LUMPUR: The decision of the Pardons Board to reduce former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's jail term does not spell the end of Umno's efforts to secure his freedom.
A special Supreme Council meeting yesterday decided that the party would continue efforts to obtain "justice" for the former party president.
The Council also said in a statement that it hoped that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would stand with the party in this struggle in the spirit of fairness.
"Umno will persist in its efforts to secure a defence for its former party president, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in adherence to the legal framework of the country and in accordance with the resolution of the Umno General Assembly, which calls for the continuation of defence efforts for Najib.
It also said that the party respected the absolute rights of the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah over the Federal Territories Pardons Board's decision in the case of Najib.
"We respect the decision and absolute right taken by His Majesty the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah.
"While we support the Federal Constitution, Umno is affected and saddened by the decision.
"Umno wishes to emphasise that the defence of Najib is pursued because we feel he did not receive justice from the beginning of the trial process.
"In this regard, we hope that on the principle of justice, the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) will uphold this spirit together.
"On the principle of justice, we hope that the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) will also uphold the same spirit," read the statement issued after the special meeting, which lasted for three hours, today.
Held at the party's headquarters at Menara Dato Onn here, the meeting which started at 11.30am, was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Absent from the meeting was Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is away attending the 24th ASEAN-European Union Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) in Brussels and participating in the 3rd European Union Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EU IPMF) as Foreign Minister.
Other top leaders present include three Umno vice presidents -- Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johani Abdul Ghani, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Khalid Nordin and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Also spotted arriving at the party's headquarters to attend the special meeting were Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, and members of the supreme council; including Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
Zahid in a statement last night said the meeting was called to discuss the issues and development surrounding the Pardons Board's decision which only commuted Najib's sentencing instead of granting the latter a full pardon.
It was reported yesterday that the Federal Territories Pardons Board had reduced Najib's fine to RM50 million from RM210 million as well as halved his 12-year jail term to six.
The decision however did not go down well with several Umno leaders who felt that the former Pekan member of Parliament should be granted a full pardon.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Puad Zarkashi described the decision as "hurtful", for Najib not to receive a full pardon.
The same sentiment was echoed by Umno Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh when he took to his Facebook page yesterday and shared a cryptic message.
"We are being played at the end. Do not think we do not know what has happened. The time has come," wrote Dr Akmal.
Najib's daughter Nooryana Najwa was seemingly unhappy with such a decision when she posted this on her Instagram account: "False hope... is worse than despair."