Malaysia set to decide on royal pardon for jailed former PM Najib

Malaysia is set to make a decision this month on jailed former prime minister Najib Razak’s application for a royal pardon, broadcaster Channel News Asia said on Wednesday.
The former premier is serving a 12-year jail term for graft linked to state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), from which U.S. and Malaysian investigators estimate $4.5 billion was stolen, with more than $1 billion channeled to accounts linked to Najib, who has always maintained his innocence.
The Pardons Board, which advises Malaysia’s king and includes the attorney-general and government officials, is set to meet in the third week of January and is likely to decide on Najib’s application for a royal pardon, CNA said.
Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil, who is the communications minister, declined direct comment on the report, telling reporters any decision on Najib’s application was the prerogative of the king and the Pardons Board.
The king plays a largely ceremonial role in Malaysia but can pardon convicted people among discretionary powers granted by the federal constitution.