Malaysians may witness the “homecoming” of jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak, as he could potentially return to politics, according to his lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
If granted a pardon and released from prison, Najib may return to reform UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN).
“You know Malaysia, anything can happen,” Shafee said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur when asked if Najib planned a political comeback.
“There’s a saying in the Malay or Malaysian community: even a dried fish in politics can swim one day.”
Shafee, who meets Najib almost every week, said he’s unsure whether Najib would want to take the lead again if he reenters politics. He also stated that he is authorised to speak on Najib’s behalf.
“Anything that is for his good, he gives me a free hand.”
Can Najib become a member of Parliament again?
Shafee added that he hopes the current King, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, will ultimately grant Najib a pardon. According to him, under Malaysia’s constitution, a full pardon would allow Najib to contest elections and become a Member of Parliament again.
However, Shafee clarified that his goal is not to revive Najib’s political career, but rather to clear the name of the former Prime Minister, emphasising that he is “fighting for an innocent man,” as reported by Bloomberg and China Press.
Najib, now 72, was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2022 over the 1MDB case, before receiving a reduction in his sentence. Later, Najib claimed that the then head of state had issued an additional decree allowing him to serve his sentence at home. He has since filed a lawsuit seeking confirmation of the decree’s existence.
Do you think Malaysians may see the return of Najib Razak in politics again?
Also read: Survey: 95% of Chinese Oppose Najib’s Royal Pardon, While 43% of Malays & 62% of Indians Support It
