I Beg Your Royal Pardon? : Malaysia’s Ex-PM Sentence Halved

In a controversial move that has sparked backlash, Malaysia’s former king has halved the 12-year jail term of ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak under a partial royal pardon. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended the decision, insisting it was “a matter of compassion”. However, Najib Razak is no ordinary jailbird – he has been embroiled in a grand corruption scandal in which around US$4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB, a state fund, and about US$1 billion allegedly flowed into Najib’s personal accounts.

Critics are crying foul, arguing that this unexpected act of royal leniency undermines the country’s anti-corruption efforts. Meanwhile, Najib, who was hoping for a full pardon, is reportedly disappointed – proving that even in corruption, some people just can’t be pleased. 

Read more here: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/najib-royal-partial-pardon-sentence-1mdb-anwar-clemency-4100161