KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi reiterated that Datuk Seri Najib Razak's application to the Pardons Board was solely due to an unfair trial.
In a Facebook post, Puad said Najib's application did not imply an admission of guilt and there was no request to reduce his prison sentence.
"Many people are unaware that Najib's original application for a royal pardon was rooted in the belief that he did not receive a fair trial before being convicted.
"He did not seek a pardon by admitting guilt. Instead, he applied for a full pardon. There is no mention of seeking a reduction in prison time or fines.
"This is why the Umno Supreme Council agreed to submit an appeal letter. Tony Pua doesn't seem to understand. Perhaps he should seek clarification," he wrote.
Previously, Tony, a former member of parliament for Petaling Jaya, expressed his dissatisfaction over the decision by the Federal Territories Pardons Board to reduce Najib's jail sentence and fine involving his SRC International case.
The board decided to reduce Najib's prison sentence from 12 to six years, with the fine also being decreased from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Najib was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million after being found guilty of abuse of power, breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Puad added that there was a need for a royal commission of inquiry into the former Attorney-General Tommy Thomas' controversial memoir and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's investigation into Court of Appeals Judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali as both could impact Najib's appeal.
"This is crucial because both have an impact on Najib's appeal."