Following the announcement that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, UMNO has announced plans to launch a fundraising drive to help him pay the RM50 million fine imposed as part of his conditional pardon.
According to Berita Harian, UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the fundraising initiative would be carried out voluntarily, transparently and in an organised manner, while complying with all applicable laws and regulations.
UMNO plans fundraising drive for Najib
“UMNO will carry out the fundraising initiative transparently, in an organised manner and in compliance with the rules and laws currently in force.
“Therefore, I call on the entire UMNO leadership, members and supporters, as well as those who wish to join in showing their support, to contribute voluntarily,” he said in a statement, as reported by Berita Harian.
However, further details on how the fundraising will be conducted have not yet been announced.
UMNO welcomes conditional pardon
Zahid also expressed UMNO’s gratitude to Sultan Ibrahim for granting the conditional pardon, saying the decision was meaningful to Najib, his family and members of the party who had continued to hope and pray for the outcome.
He also stressed that the party would continue to uphold the country’s constitutional institutions and legal framework.
“Respect for the institution of the monarchy, the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law will continue to be the party’s guiding principles. With all humility, UMNO expresses its deepest gratitude for this development.
“His Majesty’s graciousness brings immense relief to Datuk Seri Najib and his family, and will always be remembered with profound appreciation by the entire UMNO family,” he added.
He then urged all UMNO members to welcome the development with gratitude, maintain decorum in their expressions and respect all established processes.
Najib’s house arrest comes with conditions
The announcement comes shortly after the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU) on Facebook confirmed that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, had granted Najib a conditional pardon.
Under the decision, Najib will be allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028, subject to the conditions imposed as part of the clemency. One of those conditions is the payment of a RM50 million fine.
BHEUU said that should Najib fail to comply with any of the conditions imposed, the conditional clemency would be revoked and he would have to continue serving the remainder of his sentence in prison.
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