The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) expresses deep disappointment concerning the pardon of former Prime Minister Najib Razak.
In the latest development, the Agong and the pardons board have granted Najib permission to serve the remainder of his sentence at home, on condition that he pays a fine of RM50m and complies with other conditions that have not been disclosed. The RM50m fine is itself a reduction from the original RM210m.
This development undoubtedly comes as a devastating blow to the struggle for justice and to the people’s fight against corruption. For a long time, ordinary people have voiced their concerns over this issue of corruption, and even the Agong himself has called on the government to combat corruption.
By allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence at home, this will inevitably send a deeply confusing message to the public. On the one hand, we are fighting corruption and abuse of power; on the other, those implicated in and convicted of corruption and abuse of power can be released.
The 1MDB scandal is clear evidence of massive misconduct involving public funds and national interest. Billions in public funds have been lost and the country continues to bear a heavy debt burden as a result of this misconduct. This has become a dark chapter in our nation’s history and the case has even attracted worldwide attention.
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More importantly, this concession has been granted without the public being informed, let alone consulted, on whether the people agreed to his pardon and to his being placed under ‘house arrest’.
This pardon has also been granted while Najib has been sentenced to a 15-year prison term and an RM11.4bn fine in the 1MDB case, which he is currently appealing at the Court of Appeal.
If Najib is pardoned and granted the concession of serving his sentence under house arrest in his own home, which is undoubtedly more spacious and luxurious than the homes of ordinary people, will former prime ministers who are subsequently charged and convicted of corruption and abuse of power also be pardoned using the Najib case as a precedent? Who among those convicted of corruption will be released and pardoned next?
Bersih, together with other civil society organisations, youth movements and student movements, will hold an emergency meeting soon to announce our next course of action.
Actions taken by civil society and members of the public who disagree with the decision concerning Najib should not be misconstrued as an attempt to disparage the Agong’s decision or as an act of disloyalty towards the Agong.
A decision made without clear explanation and acceptable conditions will make it difficult for the people to accept that a corrupt individual can sleep soundly in the comfort of a luxurious home.
At a time when activists who fight and campaign against corruption have their bank accounts frozen and their movements restricted, those guilty of corruption and abuse of power are instead given discounts and pardons.
There is only one word from the people: fight! – Bersih
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
