PETALING JAYA: A letter requesting an update on former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application for a royal pardon will be sent to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) on Saturday (Dec 2), says his lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

According to Muhammad Shafee, it has been more than 10 months since Najib applied for a royal pardon.

“Coincidentally, tomorrow (Dec 2) we will write a letter to the relevant office under the department in charge of matters on law and pardon. If I’m not mistaken, it is the de facto law minister who is in charge of this department.

“Politely, we will invite the matter to be remitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for His Majesty's consideration,” Muhammad Shafee said on Khairy Jamaluddin’s Keluar Sekejap podcast on Friday (Dec 1).

Najib had filed an application for a royal pardon on Sept 2 last year, just days after beginning his 12-year jail sentence on Aug 23 in Kajang Prison.

According to Muhammad Shafee, a letter requesting a royal pardon was also sent to the King earlier this year.

“Interestingly, this letter is not like any normal pardon letter... This is a different case ... the reason is that he was not given the right to be fairly tried in the Federal Court,” Muhammad Shafee claimed.

He also said Najib is doing well in prison.

“I must say that I have never seen anybody bounce back after such a harrowing experience,” he added.

Muhammad Shafee said he sees Najib almost every week and he is set to meet the former premier again on Saturday.

“Sometimes I will sit down with him and have the meagre lunch he (is given). I have lunch with him so we can talk,” added Muhammad Shafee.

He also dismissed allegations that Najib is not in a real prison.

“He is in a regular prison but due to security issues, he is being isolated. Anything can happen if he is placed with other inmates,” he said.

Muhammad Shafee also said Najib is doing his PhD studies in prison.

“The assistant brought materials and the books were filtered (by the prison). He cannot just receive them.

“So, I’m happy that he’s doing something. It shows that the mind is not idle,” said Muhammad Shafee.

Najib is currently serving his 12-year jail term at Kajang Prison after his conviction was upheld by the Federal Court on Aug 23 last year.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/12/01/najib-to-seek-update-on-royal-pardon-bid