KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak could be released from prison as early as January next year or apply for parole to serve the remainder of his sentence outside prison in the last quarter of the same year.
Lawyer Kitson Foong said Najib's six-year term could be reduced by a third, or two years, for good behaviour.
Today, the Pardons Board granted the former prime minister a 50 percent reduction on his jail sentence, from 12 years to six, which will see him being released on Aug 23, 2028.
He also received a reduction in his fine, from RM210 million to RM 50 million.
"Because he has already served his prison sentence starting Aug 23, 2022, which is about one year and five months, then that period will also be taken into account.
"From that amount, a reduction will be made again by taking into account the public holidays, about 15 days a year. Therefore, Najib can be released as early as 2025 or the end of 2024," Foong told Berita Harian.
He said Najib can also still use the parole process under Section 46E of the Prisons Act to apply for the excess sentence to be served outside prison, at home.
He said the former Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and former Umno president can apply for parole after serving half of the sentence.
"In that situation, he is eligible to apply for parole around the last quarter of next year," he said.
Lawyer, Datuk M Reza, said Najib can still get a full pardon from the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim.
"In fact, if he is convicted again on other charges, he can still apply for a pardon against his conviction," he said.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year jail term after he was found guilty of one count of abuse of power with regard to Retirement Fund Inc's (KWAP) RM4 billion loan to SRC International Sdn Bhd, as well as three counts each of criminal breach of trust and abuse of power involving RM42 million of SRC funds.
He was also fined RM210 million.
SRC is a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
In August 2022, the Federal Court upheld the conviction.
The 70-year-old former Pekan member of Parliament is still facing four charges of abusing his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion of 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.