KUALA LUMPUR: The former director of MACC's Special Operations Division (BOK), Bahri Mohammad Zin said the Pardon Board's decision to reduce Datuk Seri Najib Razak's jail sentence and fine showed that justice system in this country is 'dying' (nazak).
He said the decision to halve Najib's sentence illustrated the difference in treatment given to the rich and in power compared to the poor.
"We have adopted an ignorant justice system where the poor must be punished according to the law while the rich and those in position enjoy another system that is more comfortable and does not have to follow the law 100 per cent.
"It is difficult for us to predict what the perception of all Malaysians is on our justice system now.
"The system is seen to be in dying, when there is a case on trial and the defendent in being called to defend himself but is instead granted a DNAA.
"Now added to that is the biggest case of this century.. one that has not finished serving his sentence and waiting for four more criminal trial cases can be decided in this way," he said in a statement to Malaysiakini.
Earlier today, the Pardons Board halved Najib's 12-year jail term to six and reduced his RM210 million fine to RM50 million in connection with the embezzlement of RM42 million in SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.
The former prime minister will now be released from prison on Aug 23, 2028.
Bahri played an important role in the investigation into the SRC International case involving Najib.
In 2015, the investigation into the SRC case was disrupted when police raided their office and arrested several officers in Bahri's team.
Bahri and another senior MACC official, Rohaizad Yaakob, were later transferred to the Prime Minister's Department.
In 2022, Bahri revealed that his team was under immense pressure while investigating the case, receiving threats and bribes to stop the investigation.
Bahri said he was surprised by the pardon board's decision considering Najib was facing four more criminal charges in court.
"Will the accused be pardoned again if he is found guilty?
"What will happen to other offenders who take government and public money, do they not have the same rights?" he questioned.
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.