KUALA LUMPUR: Umno heads have accepted the decision by the Pardons Board to reduce the sentence of Datuk Seri Najib Razak but their quest to seek the release of the former prime minister will not cease, says Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

       "We just concluded the closed-door meeting with Umno president (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) and the top leadership, including division leaders, and the executive committees of Wanita Umno, Umno Youth and Puteri Umno, which discussed decision made by the supreme council yesterday (Feb 3). We unanimously decided that we will continue efforts to seek justice for Najib," said the Umno secretary-general.

       He added that all those in attendance at the closed-door meeting held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the previous King.

       "As a body that has always respected the royal institution, we respect the decision because the Federal Constitution states that this is the absolute power of the King which cannot be questioned by any party," he said, adding that the meeting lasted two hours.

       On Tony Pua's comments on the decision, he said that the former Damansara MP did not speak on behalf of the unity government and that police reports would be lodged against him.

       Ahmad Zahid did not stop to address the media.

       In a statement on Saturday (Feb 3), the supreme council said it respected the Pardons Board decision and would continue the fight to ensure Najib is released from prison.

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       On Friday (Feb 2), the Pardons Board announced that it had decided to commute Najib's jail term from 12 years to six, with a release date of Aug 23, 2028, and to reduce his fine from RM210mil to RM50mil.