KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has questioned how a foreign news agency would have known about the decision of the Pardons Board to reduce the sentence of Datuk Seri Najib Razak ahead of the announcement.
In a posting on his Facebook page, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said that what is even more shocking than today's announcement is that it confirms the report by Singaporean Channel News Asia (CNA) which had surfaced a few days ago.
CNA reported on Jan 31, citing sources including senior government officials, that Najib will have his jail term halved and fine reduced under a partial royal pardon.
"The question arises as to how such sensitive and confidential information could fall into the hands of a foreign news agency in the Madani government era? The Communication Minister must take responsibility for this apparent lapse," said Wan Ahmad Fayhsal.
Earlier, the Federal Territories Pardons Board announced the reduction former prime minister Najib's 12-year jail term to six as well as reducing his fine to RM50 million.
He said the board also needs to provide an explanation on how the assessment and considerations were made in reducing the sentence for Najib to avoid controversy and confusion among the people.
"The Attorney General and the Prime Minister, as the chief advisors to the board on behalf of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, should issue a statement regarding this clarification."
However, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said all parties must respect the decision of the board which was presided over by the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah.