Mixed reactions on social media after rumours of Najib's jail term being halved

SHAH ALAM - Mixed reactions have surfaced on social media after rumours of Datuk Seri Najib Razak's jail term to be reduced from 12 years to six years.

This followed international news agency Channel News Asia's (CNA) report, yesterday that the former prime minister received a partial royal pardon from the Pardons Board for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International Sdn Bhd's funds.

CNA, quoting sources including senior government officials also reported that the partial pardon included a reduction of his RM210 million fine to an unspecified amount.

Since then, many expressed dissatisfaction over the matter with some questioning the fairness of the legal system in Malaysia, saying that the reduction of the sentence on Najib was unjust.

Commenting on the matter, X user @TheVenusDarling cited the case of one S. Shahsikumar who was sentenced to 10 years jail for stealing rice and two cans of sardines and then died in the Kluang Prison without an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.

"His name was Shashikumar Selvam. He stole rice and two cans of sardines. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He died in Kluang Prison and until now there is no inquest as to why.

"Meanwhile, Najib stole BILLIONS and had his sentence reduced from 12 to six years," she wrote.

Another social media user @eKharus expressed concern over the implications of a potential pardon for Najib.

He wrote: "If Najib is pardoned, money politics will go on to a level we’ve not seen before.

Najib is money politics and kleptocracy personified, and the signal is that he is untouchable because he is an elite. He would double down on ‘Malu Apa’, cash is king and spit on all our faces."

On Instagram, @zazack81 highlighted the disparity in sentencing, suggesting that "They should consider reducing jail terms for poor people who steal bread, milk, food, etc. Well, just to be consistent. Those people have better justifications why they need to steal."

Instagram user @rooban11 expressed dissatisfaction with the perceived preferential treatment towards the former Pekan MP saying that this would set the wrong example.

"Special people, special discount. Not the right thing for the former king and the Pardons Board to do," he wrote.

There were also positive responses towards Najib's reduced jail sntence rumours. TikTok user @amru_ar said: "He's out, let's bring him back, he's the PM who defends the people's destiny. My Bosskur at heart."

Meanwhile, @shafinaz_aswad echoed similar sentiment, expressing her wish for Najib's return to the political arena: "We want Najib back. Come back my Bosskur."

Other social media users have also expressed gratitude over the matter, praying for things to go smoothly for Najib. CNA yesterday reported that Najib's jail term has been reduced from 12 years to six years by the Pardons Board.

The decision was revealed to CNA by its sources, including senior government officials, following the board's meeting on Monday.

The report also mentioned that the Pardons Board reduced Najib's RM210 million (US$44.4 million) fine to an unspecified amount.

The alleged partial royal pardon comes after Najib served less than two years of his original prison term. With this reduction, he was expected to complete his sentence in August 2028, and he could be eligible for parole in August 2026 after serving two-thirds of the new jail term.

Meanwhile, earlier today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa who sits on the Pardons Board said an official statement regarding the issue of pardon concerning Najib is expected to be issued this week.