KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today expressed disappointment over the postponement of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s clemency application, but said the party continues to hope for a favourable outcome.

Zahid said Umno respected the decision and would continue to uphold the institution of the Malay Rulers while appealing to His Majesty the King to use his wisdom in deciding Najib’s application.

“We are saddened by the decision. Nevertheless, we continue to express our deepest respect to His Majesty the King, and we appeal to His Majesty to use all his wisdom to make the best decision.

“We continue to uphold the institution of the Malay Rulers. We continue to support the Rulers, and we hope that something favourable will be granted to Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak,” he told reporters after delivering his policy speech at Umno’s general assembly here.

The Prime Minister’s Department today said Najib’s clemency application had been deferred to a future sitting of the Federal Territories Pardons Board.

The department – which covers Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya – said the board held its 63rd meeting this morning with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim consenting to the postponement.

Earlier this morning Zahid expressed hope for the “best” news for Najib during his policy speech at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

Umno delegates greeted Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, enthusiastically with applause after Zahid asked her to stand for a moment during his speech.

Najib, 72, was convicted of misappropriating RM42 million belonging to SRC International and sentenced to 12 years in prison and a RM210 million fine. He began serving his sentence at Kajang Prison on August 23, 2022.

In 2024, the Federal Territories Pardons Board halved his prison term to six years and reduced the fine to RM50 million.

Najib and his lawyers subsequently argued that the partial pardon included a royal addendum allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, and sued to have it enforced.

On December  22 last year, High Court judge Alice Loke dismissed Najib’s application to serve the remainder of his reduced sentence under house arrest. 

Najib withdrew his appeal against the decision in April this year.