KUALA LUMPUR: The Pardons Board has decided to commute convicted former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib’s jail term from 12 years to six.

       According to a statement by the board, Najib will be released on Aug 23, 2028 and the fine has been reduced to RM50mil from RM210mil.

       "However, if the fine is not paid, a year will be added to the jail term, and the release date will then be on Aug 23, 2029," the Pardons Board secretariat said on Friday (Feb 2).

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       The statement said the Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya Federal Territories Pardons Board had met on Monday (Jan 29) to deliberate five pardon applications which included Najib's.

       "A total of five pardon papers were considered by the board that was chaired by then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah," it said.

       Najib was serving a 12-year sentence after being found guilty of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering in relation to RM42mil that had been siphoned from SRC International, a former 1MBD subsidiary. He was also fined RM210mil.

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       The former prime minister is also currently on trial to answer charges of abuse of power that allegedly brought him financial benefit to the tune of RM2.28bil, believed to have been 1MDB funds.

       Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said any decision on the sentences was solely the Pardons Board’s prerogative.

       "That (the decision) is the prerogative of the Pardons Board and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he told reporters after Friday prayers at Masjid Jamek here before the statement was issued.

       Asked if the decision would affect the unity government, Anwar did not comment.

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