Najib's Appeal on Pardon Appendix Supporters Chant 'Release Bossku' Crowd Not As Expected

Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib submitted an appeal for judicial review of the pardon appendix on Monday (6th). A large number of media and crowds gathered at the side entrance of the Palace of Justice to capture footage of Najib being transported to the court, with the public and Najib's supporters watching closely.

At 8:31 am, when a convoy believed to be escorting Najib entered the Palace of Justice building, it attracted a large number of media and the public to take photographs. Supporters immediately chanted the slogan "Release my boss" (Bebas Bossku).

UMNO Youth leader Akmal, claiming to support Najib in a personal capacity, arrived outside the Palace of Justice.

Former Prime Minister Najib was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2022 for the SRC International Sdn Bhd's RM42 million money laundering case and fined RM210 million. In February 2024, the Pardon Board announced that his sentence would be halved to six years, with the fine reduced to RM50 million. Najib has been serving his sentence in Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022.

In April 2024, Najib filed a judicial review in the High Court to determine whether the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah had issued a pardon appendix allowing him to serve his sentence at home. The High Court dismissed this application on July 3, 2024, on the grounds that the four affidavits supporting Najib's claim (including declarations by UMNO President Ahmad Zahid and Vice President Wan Rosdy) were hearsay. Najib subsequently filed a notice of appeal on July 9.

The Court of Appeal was scheduled to hear the case on December 5, 2024, but due to new evidence submitted by Najib's lawyer Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah on December 3, the hearing was postponed. The Court of Appeal is now set to convene on January 6, 2025, at 9 am, with three judges Azizah Nawawi, Azahar Mohamed, and Mohamad Firuz presiding.

It is noteworthy that UMNO and the Islamic Party initially planned to hold a rally in support of Najib outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya on January 6, but UMNO has announced the cancellation of this event. The police also stated that the rally was unauthorized and urged the public not to participate.

Najib's lawyer Shafee stated that they will wait for the decision of the Court of Appeal on January 6 before deciding whether to resubmit the pardon application. Currently, Najib has not instructed his legal team to file a new pardon application.

Moreover, some constitutional experts suggest that to resolve the controversy over the pardon appendix, Najib should reapply for a pardon. However, Najib's legal team stated that they would make a decision based on the Court of Appeal's ruling.

In summary, Najib's appeal case regarding the home detention pardon appendix will be heard by the Court of Appeal on January 6, 2025, and the outcome will influence his future incarceration method and pardon application strategy.