KUALA LUMPUR: An Umno leader has claimed there were certain parties who do not want Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is Umno's weapon for its revival, to receive a full pardon.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Puad Zarkashi said it was "hurtful" for Najib not to receive a full pardon.
"Many parties will party. Najib is the "wow" factor in Umno's recovery. Now the weapon of Umno's revival has been blunted.
"Najib must return to actively giving ideas and criticism on economic issues and the welfare of the people. Even though physically confined, his mind is not.
"Do anything to Najib, the faithful stay together," he said in a Facebook post.
This comes after the Pardon's Board decision to halve Najib's 12-year jail term to six.
This means that the former prime minister will be released from prison on Aug 23, 2028.
His fine, initially set at RM210 million, has also been reduced to RM50 million.
However, if the fine isn't paid, Najib's prison term will be extended by a year, which means that he would be released on Aug 23, 2029.
His daughter, Nooryana Najwa said Najib and his family remain steadfast and confident that he is innocent.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year jail term 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 each of criminal breach of trust and abuse of power involving RM42 million of SRC funds.
He was also fined RM210 million.
SRC is a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
In August 2022, the Federal Court upheld the conviction.
The 70-year-old former Pekan member of Parliament is still facing four charges of abusing his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion of 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.