KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Minister, Attorney-General and three other members of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya must provide a clear explanation for the decision to reduce Datuk Seri Najib Razak's sentence.
Pasir Gudang member of parliament Hassan Abdul Karim said this is because Malaysians are divided on the issue and have a right to know the basis of its decision.
He said explaining the matter to the public is not against the Constitution.
"The decision of the Pardons Board on Jan 29 cannot be appealed or discussed in court, so it is crucial for them to explain their reasons in detail to the public.
"Justice and transparency require the Pardons Board to provide a written explanation of why they decided to reduce Najib's sentence. The people of Malaysia and the world have the right to know the reasons, and this will not violate the Constitution," he said in a statement.
Hassan said many people are dissatisfied with the Pardons Board's decision to commute Najib's 12-year jail sentence to six years and reduce his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Some, he said, are angry that Najib was not granted a full pardon similar to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while others questioned why he was given a reduction of his sentence.
He said some people are puzzled as to why the fine, which should have been reduced by half to RM105 million, was only reduced to RM50 million.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is attempting to calm the people, urging them to respect the decision of the Pardons Board and claiming that the decision is the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"However, the prime minister's argument is challenged by some who state that the prime minister cannot blame the Yang di-Pertuan Agong because, according to Article 40(1) of the Federal Constitution, the prime minister is bound to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"The Pardons Board, Federal Territories Minister, Attorney General, and three other members must provide a clear explanation of why their decision regarding Najib's pardon application was made as such," he said.
Last week, the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced Najib's fine to RM50 million from RM210 million as well as halved his 12-year jail term to six.
Najib was sentenced to 12 years jail after he was found guilty of one count of abuse of power with regard to Retirement Fund Inc's (KWAP) RM4 billion loan to SRC International Sdn Bhd, as well as three counts of criminal breach of trust and abuse of power involving RM42 million of SRC funds.